SP's Aviation 03-09

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ISSUE 3 • 2009 WWW.SPSAVIATION.NET Aviation Lockheed Martin’s VP, Business  Embraer’s VP, S&M José Development Orville Prins spells out Eduardo Costas elaborates on combat capabilities of the F-16IN strengths of Phenom 100

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RNI NUMBER: TRENDS PAGE 8 451964-2009 SP GUIDE PUBLICATIONS WIDENING H O R I Z O N S . . . N E W IN THIS EDITION • Indiaʼs Homeland Security & Ministr y of Home Affairs Elements • IDS Headquartersʼ role in Procurement Process elaborated • Eventsʼ Reference - Special Insert

Ministry of Home Affairs Elements • IDS Headquartersʼ role in Procurement Process elaborated • Eventsʼ Reference - Special Insert • Indiaʼs IN Homeland THIS EDITION Security &

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Regular Departments SP’s AN SP GUIDE PUBLICATION 8 2 A Word from Editor

News Flies. We Gather Intelligence. Every Month. From India.

AviationISSUE 3 • 2009 3 NewsWithViews Dangerous Space Debris

On Record 20 NewsDigest 4 MILITARY LOCKHEED MARTIN F-16IN 24 LastWord 11 CIVIL Train Well to Rein Error

EMBRAER PHENOM 100 Series Cover Photo: ��

6 COMMERCIAL AVIATION While it is not all doom and ��

�� �� �� gloom in the present VLJ �� THE FIRST FALTERING ATTEMPTS �� LIGHT UP THE SKY: While Cessna and market, there are key issues � � � � Business Aviation Embraer dominate the market, it is a that need to be addressed by positive sign for VLJs that the Phenom operators, owners and the 8 VLJS and Mustang production lines are not regulatory authorities. Light � � � � seeing any cutbacks in production. LIGHT UP THE SKY (Seen here is a Phenom 100, the first �� Photo Credit: Cessna SP's Avn 03 of 09 Cover.indd 1 4/18/09 5:32:28 PM of which was certified and delivered by Industry Embraer in late December last year.) 15 HELICOPTER

RISE OF THE ROTARY PUBLISHER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Jayant Baranwal Ratan Sonal 17 HONEYWELL GRAPHIC DESIGNER: ASSISTANT EDITOR Rajkumar Sharma, Vimlesh Kumar Yadav T HE MODULAR, RELIABLE, HIGH Arundhati Das PERFORMANCE SOLUTION © SP Guide Publications, 2009 READY FOR JAGUAR SENIOR VISITING EDITOR Air Marshal (Retd) V.K. Bhatia ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION Hall of Fame Inland: Rs 850 • Foreign: US$ 250 SENIOR TECHNICAL GROUP EDITORS Email: [email protected] 19 S.V. SETTY Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey FOR ADVERTISING DETAILS, CONTACT: Lt General (Retd) Naresh Chand [email protected] [email protected] 6 SUB-EDITOR Bipasha Roy SP GUIDE PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD A-133 Arjun Nagar, (Opposite Defence Colony) CONTRIBUTORS New Delhi 110 003, India. India Air Marshal (Retd) P.K. Mehra, Tel: +91 (11) 24644693, 24644763, 24620130 Air Marshal (Retd) N. Menon, Fax: +91 (11) 24647093 Email: [email protected] REVISITING Group Captain (Retd) A.K. Sachdev, Group Captain (Retd) Joseph Noronha POSTAL ADDRESS HISTORY Europe Post Box No 2525 4 Alan Peaford, Phil Nasskau, Rob Coppinger New Delhi 110 005, India. USA & Canada Sushant Deb, LeRoy Cook, Lon Nordeen, REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE Anil R. Pustam (West Indies) BENGALURU, INDIA 534, Jal Vayu Vihar Kammanhalli Main Road CHAIRMAN & MANAGING DIRECTOR Bangalore 560043, India. Jayant Baranwal Tel: +91 (80) 23682534 EROING IN Z ADMIN & COORDINATION MOSCOW, RUSSIA ON F-16IN Bharti Sharma LAGUK Co., Ltd., (Yuri Laskin) Krasnokholmskaya, Nab., 15 Owned, published and printed by Jayant Baranwal, printed 11/15, app. 132, Moscow 115172, Russia. at Rave India and published at A-133, Arjun Nagar (Opposite Tel: +7 (495) 911 2762 Defence Colony), New Delhi 110 003, India. All rights reserved. Fax: +7 (495) 912 1260 No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, photocopying, recording, electronic, or otherwise without prior written permission of the Publishers. www.spguidepublications.com

RISE OF THE NEXT ISSUE: MMRCA—The Progress So Far ROTARY

Issue 3 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 1 A Word from Editor Lure of VLJs and the humble origins of commercial aviation represent the two ends of a spectrum deﬁning humankind’s unquenchable thirst for ﬂying. Precisely why this edition is truly unputdownable.

ery Light Jets (VLJs) pose a dream and a di- Euphoria fuelled by the advent of the VLJ necessarily lemma. The dream of taking to the skies with- dictates a scrutiny of the remarkable evolution charted by out the hassles and time frame normally asso- the commercial aviation industry. Merely a century ago, ciated when travelling on commercial airlines; on May 14, 1908, in the US, the first passenger—Charlie and the dilemma of ensuring stringent safety Furnas—had entrusted his life to Wilbur Wright, who took measures while enforcing the distinct criteria him aloft and brought him safely back to Earth. In 1913, for pilot training. Reporting on the Royal Aeronautical Soci- Igor Sikorsky developed the world’s first large, four-engine Vety’s Corporate, Air Taxi & Personal Jets conference held in plane. Le Grand could carry seven passengers and stay London on March 18 and 19, SP’s correspondent for Europe aloft for nearly two hours. It had a plush cabin (with a lava- Phil Nasskau affirms that a recurring theme at the conven- tory, private suite and bed) and cabin heating and lighting. tion was that of safety and pilot training. On August 25, 1919, the British airline, Aircraft Transport Statistical accident data corroborated that aircraft oper- and Travel, inaugurated a regular, sustained, civil, daily ated by a single pilot have a 50 per cent higher accident (Monday to Saturday) passenger service between London rate over a two-crew aircraft. Addressing the gathering, and Paris. It was probably the first such scheduled service Captain John Cox of the Flight Operations Group pointed in the world. A host of such engrossing nuggets of informa- out that this trend applies even when the single pilot has tion feature in the first installment of a series of articles more experience than a typical First Officer of a two-crew in SP’s Aviation tracing the incredible journey of humans aircraft. Cynics, meanwhile, have also raised the spectre of taking to the sky like fish to water. the skies getting crowded with these “upstarts” piloted by Still on this page? inadequately trained individuals. How does one define a VLJ? In layman’s terms, a VLJ’s design allows for single-pilot operation for the aircraft weighing less than 10,000 lbs maximum gross takeoff weight and with the capability to carry four to six passengers. That’s the bare statistics. Advantages that stick, making the VLJ hottest of corporate possessions (an estimated 5,000 are expected to take to the skies by 2017), is—yes, you guessed right—price and time. No queues. No intermi- nably delayed flights. No last minute cancellation of business meetings. No eavesdropping strangers. All of that at a cost much less than a business jet. All of a sudden, retrain- ing the organisation’s aviation department appears not so big a deal after all. Driving home the advantages, José Edu- ardo Costas, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Embraer Executive Jets, Asia Pacific, writes on the state-of-the-art features of the Phenom 100, designed with the primary ob- jective to offer more value for money to corporate bigwigs. For the military, Orville Prins, Vice President, Business De- velopment, Lockheed Martin, India outlines the air-to-air combat capabilities that make the F-16IN Super Viper the Jayant Baranwal ultimate 4th Generation Fighter. Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

2 SP’S AVIATION Issue 3 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net ILLUSTRATION: MAMTA NewsWithViews islikely tobeinexcess of35years. Anincident onFebruary orbit altitude compared to the previous tests, the deorbit time pieces of 1 mm or larger. As the explosion tooklarger), placeover 35,000 atpieces of 1cm orhigher larger and one million ated 23,000 pieces of trackable debris (about golf ball size or cre have toestimated was incident 2007.The11, January tory was the anti-satellite weapon test conducted by China on man-made space debris in his explosions.theare largestThe culpritsrealup. Theburn and reenter the Earth’s atmosphere orbitaltheirpath,proximityof the of because mainly items, a camera during EVA. But such lost Williams Sunita astronaut activity origin Indian Famous extra-vehicular(EVA). or astronautswalksspaceduring tally slipped out of the hands of constitute objectsthat may have acciden also debris space fragments, explosion to ellites rocketmotors anddefunct sat spent aimlessly. From around whooshing Earth, the around orbit that humans by carded dis objects are Thesedebris? of a busted-up Soviet satellite. had to dodge yet another piece station space ery’sthearrival, March22, rightbefore Discov a week prior to the incident on just all, not was capsule.That get-away emergency their shelter in take to residents ISS three the forced had collision a of spectre the month, the in Earlier orbits. junk, similar circling space called also de bris, space of number vast a with colliding of danger in be perpetually to appears ISS occurrence.The isolated an not collision.however,This,a withoutis past careen to junk of hours, there was enough room for the offending 4-inch piece F VIEWS discarded piece from a 10-year-old Chinese satellite rocket motor that was to have hurtled pass uncomfortably close during a planned spacewalk. spacewalk. “it’s junk, planned a dodging to comes during it When close evening. exhausting”. same it’s the uncomfortably said Sometimes pass Alibaruho tiring. Kwatsi very hurtled It’s deal. Director have big a Flight to challenge,” was that increasing ever motor an rocket becoming the is of debris out satellite “Space move to Chinese small a for way Discovery making 10-year-old thereby a shuttle and from spacecraft, two the (ISS) piece reorient to Station discarded thrusters Space ship’s the fired pilots International 22. Discovery’s connected March Sunday, the on debris of aboard piece a of way astronauts order to NASA compelled junk Orbiting DANGEROUS SPACE DEBRIS How doesdefineHowonespace in a belly facing forward position. After about threeposition. aboutforward facingAfter belly a in foot per second, placing the shuttle and space station spaceshuttle created slow,a natural dragaboutof a iring the Discovery’s thrusters, astronauts aboard the - - - - -

- - tothat ofglobal warming, numbera ofalternatives arebeing plus pieces of junk already floating in space. satellites, consequently inflating the ominous pile of 600,000- impact,hour,approximatelyper km 42,000 pulverised both collided in space over northern Siberia. The relative speed of thedeactivated Kosmos-2251 and an operational Iridium 33 10 drove home the grave danger posed by space debris when debris andnotaddtothegrowing pile. the down bring to be must space,it in shoot must mankind If load. entrapped the with orbit of out fall eventually and junk impacting absorb to blobs aerogel huge debris,or rise vapo to brooms laser tugs, automated or trucks’ collection Earth’sinto back atmosphere—using debris garbage ‘space Even as the menacerapidlytheacquiresas Even proportions similar Issue 3•2009 — Air Marshal(Retd) V.K. Bhatia thoughtofto check the genera n pc, as n means and have to be found ways to ‘sweep’ the space, in mess current the up clean To nature.ever, in preventive are al satellites would operate. graveyardwhere operationno marked a in parked be could geostationary ring, the satellites orbitalaltitudes, theinsuch as timeframe.Incase ofvery high reasonable a within deorbit to sphericdrag would cause them atmo wherein tethers’ nator throughelectrodynamic ‘termi down slowed and orbitslower to brought be least at should ing too much fuel), the satellites (requir feasible not is deorbit controlled and direct a If life. operational their of end the at satellites deorbit to be would futuresatellitedesigns—of cel par and part included asalso be made should not just mandatory step—that but mitigatory another Yet explosions. orbit on- of risk the decrease could measuresuchonewhichis els esby the release of residual fu Passivation of spent upper stag additionaloftion spacedebris. The above measures,above how The

SP SP’S AVIATION

3 ------MILITARY LOCKHEED MARTIN F-16IN Record On SUPER DYNAMICS

Air-to-air combat capabilities of the F-16IN Super Viper make it the ultimate By Orville Prins Vice President, 4th Generation Fighter, providing proven air Business Development, combat capability that the IAF can rely on Lockheed Martin, India

he Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) the air-to-air combat capability required of the MMRCA, and must be capable of many roles and missions, with they are formidable. The evolution of air combat and implica- a key role being air-to-air combat. It must be able tions of fighter design on modern air combat capability are to defend itself during a mission, or stand ready for fully reflected in the RFP requirements, and the ongoing tech- an air-defence alert-launch. It must do more than nical evaluation and upcoming field trials will show the F-16IN “dogfight” in order to fill its valuable role; it must Super Viper is the fighter for the Indian Air Force. fight, win, refuel, rearm, and fight again! For half a century, the naked eye found the enemy. Just after

PHOTOGRAPHS: LOCKHEED MARTIN T In its RFP, the Indian Air Force has outlined the basics of the Korean War the airborne radar began to assist in detecting

4 SP’S AVIATION Issue 3 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net MILITARY LOCKHEED MARTIN F-16IN aircraft. The newest breakthrough F-16 missions lasting more in airborne radar technology is than 8 hours, and has with- the Active Electronically Scanned stood the punishment of the Array (AESA). The benefits of the ready room. AESA radar are truly revolutionary and the F-16IN Super Viper INTEGRATED MISSION offers the only AESA delivered in- PLANNING DATA ternationally today. In the days of the open cockpit, seeing and communicating UNDERLINING THE ADVANTAGES with wingmen and knowing Along with longer-range detec- front line locations were part tions, a large operating bandwidth, of air combat. The F-16IN Su- and interleave modes, there are per Viper embodies the ulti- other benefits of AESA radar. The mate in the evolution of com- antenna of the Super Viper AESA munication and situational is a fixed plate that does not move. awareness using automatic Gone are the stability limits of the establishment of all available actuators driving the mechanical data links and automatic data antennas in other fighters. The correlation. Mission planning fully integrated and optimised F-16IN AESA radar does not TECH WONDER: data are fully integrated with real time on- care if the Super Viper is manoeuvring; it continues searching, THE F-16IN SUPER board and offboard data for fusion on the detecting, and providing high quality tracking throughout the VIPER EMBODIES tactical situation awareness displays. THE ULTIMATE IN fighter’s entire envelope. When properly integrated, the AESA THE EVOLUTION OF While dogfighting is less common in radar can detect when a contact is manoeuvring and devote COMMUNICATION modern air combat, the need for the per- more time to tracking to prevent a loss of track. AND SITUATIONAL formance remains. Whether launching on AWARENESS The F-16IN AESA radar has high fidelity information on an air-defence alert, repositioning during “ownship” velocities and a steady two-way stream of data be- a patrol, or manoeuvring for an intercept, tween it and the mission computer resulting in superior per- fighter performance is a must. The F-16IN Super Viper has formance in clutter, ECM, and manoeuvring target situations. the agility that the F-16 made famous, and that all others It was inevitable that a counter to radar detection would entry to emulate. Even when carrying air-to-air weapons, con- sue. Reduction in radar cross-section (RCS) is the counter- formal fuel tanks, and an empty centerline fuel tank, the F- measure to radar detection. RCS reduced aircraft may not be 16IN still has a 9 “g” capability. The F-16IN has something detected by radar until they are very close, so close that other even more—the fuel to support sustained high speed opera- means of detection are more effective. At these short ranges tions. The F-16IN provides sustained supersonic speeds in the human eye still plays an important role, and so fighter level flight needed to cross long distances for a time-critical size and engine smoke must also be reduced to counter detec- intercept. tion by sight. The F-16IN Super Viper has a small visual cross In the end, the basic principles of air combat haven’t really section and a single, smokeless engine. With a small fighter, changed all that much. See the enemy first and fire on them still RCS reduction can be combined with reduced infrared and applies, but the F-16IN Super Viper pilot’s eye is now supple- visual signatures, allowing manoeuvring past the normal vi- mented with a myriad of sensors in multiple spectrums. “Check sual scan of the enemy pilot’s eye to an unseen intercept, vi- your trim and ready your guns” is now accomplished through sual identification or offensive firing position. Nothing sends the F-16IN’s digital fly-by-wire flight controls, automatic inte- a message quite like pilots returning from airspace incursions gration of data and system level weapon management. Hand with stories of your fighter “Just appearing out of nowhere!” signals between pilots have been replaced by its network-cen- Through the Korean War era, the primary weapon of the tric situational awareness and multifunction radios. air combat fighter was the gun employed in a “dogfight”. With All this capability can be hard on a machine, just as it was in the advent of self-guiding air-to-air missile, many thought the days of grass fields, hammers and wrenches. The MMRCA “dogfighting” was obsolete. History has shown first detection must be able to provide effective air combat capability daily and firing of beyond-visual-range missiles is one factor in air with a very high mission reliability rate over a long lifetime. combat victory but it is not a guarantee that dogfighting will The F-16IN Super Viper is that air combat fighter. There are not ensue. So the “gun” persists to this day as an element years of real combat experience going into every system and of dog fighting. But is that paradigm changing? The super- subsystem. It is the ultimate 4th Generation Fighter—provid- manoeuvrable, short range air-to-air missile, aimed by the ing proven air combat capability that the IAF can rely on. SP pilot’s eye, is becoming reliable enough that it might replace the time-proven gun. The author is a graduate of the Naval Fighter Weapons Only recently have technological advances provided the so- School (Topgun) and the USAF Adversary Tactics Instructor lutions needed to make the helmet mounted cueing system re- School, he has flown more than 3,000 hours in 14 different quired for the employment of these new all-aspect short-range tactical aircraft. In addition to his corporate experience, missiles comfortable, accurate and reliable. The F-16IN Super Prins’s military assignments include Project Test Pilot, Op- Viper pilot uses the Helmet Mounted Cueing System, which is erations, Weapons and Air Combat Training, Logistics and lightweight, comfortable, and multirole capable. It is worn on Administration, Quality Assurance and Maintenance.

Issue 3 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 5 CO M M E R C I A LAVIATION

ERIES S The First Faltering attemp ts On May 14, 1908, the first passeng er— Charlie Furnas—entrusted his lif e to Wilb ur Wright, w ho took him aloft and b rought him saf ely back to Earth. Over the next century, humans took to flying lik e fish to wa ter. A s e r i e s o f a r t i c l e s w i l l t r a c e t h e evo l u t i o n a n d g r ow t h o f t h i s s e c t o r.

n n u m e r a b l e , d a r - B y G r o u p C a p t a i n ( R e t d ) p a s s e n g e r w i t h a o n e - w a y f a r e o f $ 5 ( R s i n g a v i a t i o n f e a t s 2 5 0 ) . A f t e r o p e r a t i n g f o r j u s t f o u r m o n t h s t h a t f o l l o w e d O r v i l l e Jo s e p h N o r o n h a a n d c a r r y i n g a t o t a l o f 1 , 2 0 5 p a s s e n g e r s , Wr i g h t ’s p i o n e e r i n g t h e c o m p a n y s h u t s h o p a t t h e e n d o f t h e f l i g h t o n D e c e m b e r t o u r i s t s e a s o n . O n J u l y 1 5 , 1 9 1 6 , W i l l i a m 1 7 , 1 9 0 3 , i n v a r i a b l y E d w a r d B o e i n g , t h e n 3 4 a n d a l r e a d y a i n v o l v e d a s i n g l e p i l o t , w i t h o u t p a s s e n g e r s . T h e Wr i g h t B r o t- h m i l l i o n a i r e , f o u n d e d t h e U S a i r c r a f t m a n u f a c t u r i n g c o r p o - eI r s t h e m s e l v e s f l e w t o g e t h e r o n l y o n c e i n t h e s a m e a i r c r a f t . r a t i o n t h a t s t i l l b e a r s h i s n a m e . O v e r s e v e r a l d e c a d e s , t h e S u b s e q u e n t l y, t h e y f l e w s e p a r a t e l y s o t h a t e v e n i f a c r a s h c u t c o m p a n y w o u l d e v o l v e i n t o t h e w o r l d ’s l a r g e s t c o m m e r c i a l o n e l i f e s h o r t , t h e s u r v i v i n g s i b l i n g c o u l d c o n t i n u e t h e i r a v i a- a i r c r a f t m a n u f a c t u r e r. t i o n e x p e r i m e n t s . M e r e l y a c e n t u r y a g o , o n M a y 1 4 , 1 9 0 8 , i n t h e U S , t h e T H O S E ‘ D R E A D F U L F LY I N G M AC H I N E S ’ f i r s t p a s s e n g e r — C h a r l i e F u r n a s — e n t r u s t e d h i s l i f e t o W i l b u r Wo r l d Wa r I (1 9 1 4 - 1 9 1 8 ) wa s a wa s t e d pe r i o d fo r co m m e r- Wr i g h t , w h o t o o k h i m a l o f t a n d b r o u g h t h i m s a f e l y b a c k t o cial aviation with design and production efforts of major in- E a r t h . T h e f i r s t w o m a n p a s s e n g e r f o l l o w e d s o o n a f t e r w h e n d u s t r i a l n a t i o n s f o c u s s e d o n m i l i t a r y a i r c r a f t . I n t h e p u b l i c o n J u l y 8 , 1 9 0 8 , T h é r è s e P e l t i e r f l e w w i t h L é o n D e l a g r a n g e p e r c e p t i o n , th o s e “ d r e a d f u l fl y i n g ma c h i n e s ” we r e me a n t to i n I t a l y. I f p a s s e n g e r s w e r e t a k e n u p i t w a s m a i n l y f o r b r i e f r a i n d e a t h a n d d e s t r u c t i o n o n t h e e n e m y r a t h e r t h a n c o n - j o y r i d e s . T h e c a u t i o n o f a i r p a s s e n g e r s w a s u n d e r s t a n d a b l e , v e y p e a c e a b l e c i v i l i a n t r a v e l l e r s q u i c k l y a n d s a f e l y t o t h e i r f o r t h e f i r s t f a t a l i t y i n v o l v i n g a p o w e r e d a i r c r a f t o c c u r r e d t h e d e s t i n a t i o n . Th e h u g e s u r p l u s o f m i l i t a r y p l a n e s a t t h e e n d s a m e y e a r. O n S e p t e m b e r 1 7 , 1 9 0 8 , T h o m a s S e l f r i d g e b e c a m e o f t h e w a r e n s u r e d t h a t t h e d e m a n d f o r n e w a i r c r a f t w a s a- l t h e f i r s t v i c t i m o f m a n y t h o u s a n d s o f a i r a c c i d e n t s o v e r t h e most non-existent for several years. Many aircraft builders d e c a d e s w h e n O r v i l l e Wr i g h t c r a s h e d t h e i r t w o - s e a t p l a n e . w e n t b u s t . T h e e a r l y a i r l i n e r s w e r e s i m p l y c o n v e r t e d b o m b- I n 1 9 1 3 , I g o r S i k o r s k y d e v e l o p e d t h e w o r l d ’s f i r s t l a r g e , ers—slow contraptions of wood, wire and fabric. They had f o u r- e n g i n e p l a n e . L e G r a n d c o u l d c a r r y s e v e n p a s s e n g e r s n o r a d i o a n d w e r e n a v i g a t e d b y u s i n g a m a p a n d c o m p a r - a n d s t a y a l o f t f o r n e a r l y t w o h o u r s . I t h a d a p l u s h c a b i n ( w i t h i n g i t w i t h f e a t u r e s a p p e a r i n g o n t h e g r o u n d b e l o w. W h y, a l a v a t o r y, p r i v a t e s u i t e a n d b e d ) a n d c a b i n h e a t i n g a n d l i g h- t t h e n , w o u l d t r a v e l l e r s w a n t t o r i s k t h e i r l i v e s i n t h e a i r ? i n g . I t s m o r e r e f i n e d s u c c e s s o r, t h e I l ’ y a M u r o m e t s , ( n a m e d I n A m e r i c a , t h e y c o u l d t r a v e l w i t h f a r g r e a t e r c o m f o r t a n d a f t e r a l e g e n d a r y R u s s i a n w a r r i o r ) a l s o p r o v e d i t s w o r t h a s c o n v e n i e n c e , a n d c o m p a r a b l e s p e e d , b y r a i l . a p o w e r f u l a n d r u g g e d b o m b e r — t h e f i r s t ‘ d u a l u s e ’ a i r c r a f t I n E u r o p e , h o w e v e r, t h e E n g l i s h C h a n n e l w o r k e d a s a n w i t h i n t e r d e p e n d e n t c i v i l a n d m i l i t a r y r o l e s . I n J u n e 1 9 1 4 , i t i n c e n t i v e f o r G r e a t B r i t a i n a n d F r a n c e t o s t a r t c o m m e r c i a l f l e w f r o m S t . P e t e r s b u r g ( R u s s i a ) t o K i e v a n d b a c k — a r o u n d s e r v i c e s . C o n s e q u e n t l y, o n A u g u s t 2 5 , 1 9 1 9 , t h e B r i t i s h a i r - t r i p o f o v e r 2 , 0 0 0 k m . T h e w o r l d ’s f i r s t s c h e d u l e d a i r s e r - l i n e , A i r c r a f t Tr a n s p o r t a n d Tr a v e l , i n a u g u r a t e d a r e g u l a r, v i c e , t h e S t . P e t e r s b u r g ( U SA ) t o Ta m p a A i r B o a t L i n e , b e g a n s u s t a i n e d , c i v i l , d a i l y ( M o n d a y t o S a t u r d a y ) p a s s e n g e r s e r v i c e

PHOTOGRAPHS: WWW.FLICKR.COM, WWW.WIKIPEDIA.COM PHOTOGRAPHS: WWW.FLICKR.COM, o n J a n u a r y 1 , 1 9 1 4 . I t o p e r a t e d a s e a p l a n e c a r r y i n g a s i n g l e b e t w e e n L o n d o n a n d P a r i s . I t w a s p r o b a b l y t h e f i r s t s u c h

6 SP’S AVIATION Issue 3 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net S E R I E S COMMERCIAL AVIATION scheduled service in the world. The world famous KLM (Roy- intended specifically to carry passengers. The three-engine al Dutch Airline) was founded in 1919 and began its service Model 80, launched in 1928, could carry 12 passengers, from Amsterdam to London on May 17, 1920, with Fokker F-2 and an upgraded Model 80A could hold 18. The cabin had aircraft. This is the oldest surviving air service in the world. hot and cold running water, a toilet, forced air ventilation, In Germany, Adolf Rohrbach’s Zeppelin-Staaken E.4/20 was leather upholstered seats and individual reading lamps. a streamlined design, constructed mainly of duralumin alloy, On May 15, 1930, registered nurse Ellen Church became powered by four en- the world’s first stew- gines, and weighing ardess travelling from 18,700 lbs fully load- “A r e c e s s i o n i s w h e n y o u h a v e t o t i g h t e n y o u r b e l t ; a Oakland en route to ed. Only large wheels d e p r e s s i o n i s w h e n y o u h a v e n o b e l t t o t i g h t e n . Wh e n Chicago for Boeing and landing gear y o u ’ v e l o s t y o u r t r o u s e r s , y o u ’ r e i n t h e a i r l i n e b u s i n e s s .” Air Transport. In ad- struts marred its — S i r A d a m Th o m s o n, dition to being nurses, graceful lines. It had the first eight steward- l a t e f o u n d e r o f B r i t i s h C a l e d o n i a n a cabin that seated esses had to be single, up to 18, as well as a younger than 25 years, lavatory and gener- weigh less than 115 lbs ous mail and luggage space. At its first flight, in 1920, both its and less than 5 ft 4 in in height. At the end of the decade, design and performance—cruising more than 130 mph at less new jobs began to appear in and around airports. Ware- than full power, and travelling nearly 850 miles—were a good houses were set up and manufacturers began to build their dozen years ahead of what any other airliner had yet attained. plants closer to airports. Aeronautical schools began train- However, in accordance with post-World War I restrictions, ing aspirants to become designers and builders of aircraft, the Allies ordered it destroyed. A sad loss. and pilots and navigators to fly them.

GLOBAL AIRLINE INDUSTRY TAKES SHAPE NOT ENOUGH PASSENGERS In 1927, Juan Terry Trippe founded a modest air service that If there was one factor responsible for the establishment of shuttled mail between Florida and Cuba. His little business aviation as a medium of commerce, it was airmail. And In- eventually grew into Pan American World Airways. Com- dia deserves recognition as the cradle of airmail. In Febru- monly known as Pan Am, it was the principal international ary 1911, the world’s first official airmail flight, piloted by airline of the US from the 1930s until its collapse in De- French pilot M. Picquet, flew 10 km from Allahabad to Naini. cember 1991. The airline became a major company credited In the US, the first scheduled airmail flight took place in with many innovations that shaped the international airline May 1918. By 1925, US Post Office aircraft were delivering industry, including the widespread use of jet aircraft, jumbo around 14 million letters and packages a year and maintain- jets, and computerized reservation systems. ing regular flight schedules. However, scores of airlines set The Ford Tri-motor 5-AT was used by almost all US air- up in most parts of the world could not make a profit without lines. Introduced in 1928, it could carry 15 passengers in direct or indirect (on account of airmail) government subsi- its corrugated fuselage. New technology was also being de- dies. Since subsidies were rarely forthcoming, most airlines veloped. In September 1929, a young US Army lieutenant, folded up. The reason? Not enough passengers. James Doolittle, took off from Mitchell Field in New York, But who can blame the passengers for staying away? flew around 24 km and landed, all without seeing anything For better part of the 1920s, travellers could still make outside of his cockpit. The cockpit was shrouded and he was most overland journeys faster by train than by plane. Fly- using the first instrument air navigation package in history, ing by air was decidedly uncomfortable—the aircraft were including a very accurate barometer, an artificial horizon un-insulated thin sheets of metal, rattling in the wind. Cab- and gyroscope, and a radio direction beacon for landing. ins were un-pressurised and passengers had to stick cotton Growing popular- wool in their ears against the deafening engine noise. E A R LY B I R D S : L E G R A N D ( B E L OW ) C O U L D ity of passenger flight However, in 1927, Charles Lindbergh became the first C A R R Y S E V E N PA S S E N G E R S A N D S TAY A L O F T F O R N E A R LY T W O H O U R S ; ( FA C I N G PA G E ) T H E inspired Boeing to person to fly across the Atlantic solo; Amelia Earhart was F O R D T R I - M O T O R 5 - AT WA S I N T R O D U C E D I N build its first aircraft the first woman to do so just a year later. This touched off 1 9 2 8 A N D C O U L D C A R R Y 1 5 a worldwide surge of interest in aviation and did much to convince prospective air travellers that there were reasonable chances of them reaching their intended destination safely. The number of airline passengers in the US surged from just 5,800 in 1926 to approximately 417,000 in 1930. Businessmen comprised most of this number as more and more companies began to pay for their employees to travel by air. But despite the advances in air travel and the aspi- rations of businessmen who hoped to cash in on this new multimillion-dollar industry, airlines in the 1920s that operated passenger-only routes lost money. Profitable passenger airlines was realised not until the 1930s. SP (To be continued.)

Issue 3 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 7 PHOTOGRAPHS: PHIL NASSKAU COVER STORY 8 the Light BUSINESS AVIATION London By

Phil Nasskau SP’S AVIATION

Issue 3•2009

Sky

VLJ

www.spsaviation.net up BUSINESS AVIATION VLJs While Cessna and Embraer dominate the market, it is a positive sign for VLJs that the Phenom and Mustang production lines are not seeing any cutbacks in production

GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES: FROM rguably the world’s first drawing flak from Cox, who commented on the Eclipse 500: 100 IN 2008, CESSNA’S Very Light Jet (VLJ), the “Flying a jet is about drag management. The Eclipse (500) MUSTANG’S (ABOVE) PRODUCTION HAS THIS Eclipse 500 was frequently has no spoilers or anti-skid. How much harder do we want to YEAR JUMPED TO AN cited at the Royal Aeronau- make it for the pilot?” Yet, for Wing Commander Rupert Clark EXPECTED 130; (LEFT) tical Society’s Corporate, of the Royal Air Force’s Flying Training Fast-Jet SO1, HQ22 THE JET’S COMPACT Air Taxi & Personal Jets (Training) Group, the issues pertaining to training Hawk pilots COCKPIT Aconference held in London on March 18 apply to VLJs, too. Crucially, Wing Commander Clark pointed and 19. Yet, the pioneer of a new segment in out that given the aircraft is low drag, inexperienced pilots the business jet world has become a victim will find it all the more difficult to handle emergency landings of its own success. In 1998, entrepreneur such as those that are flapless. “A flapless circuit detail in the Vern Raburn founded Eclipse Aviation with Hawk will always elicit many debrief points (because of the the goal of a $1 million (Rs 5 crore) jet. In difficulty in executing such a circuit).” 2006, Eclipse received the US Federal Avia- tion Administration’s (FAA) certification for ‘TRAINING IS THE ACHILLES HEEL OF VLJs’ the VLJ. Yet, the European Aviation Safety Several initiatives could address the training aspects. An opera- Agency certification did not come until Feb- tor or owner with just a single aircraft does not generally have ruary 2009, and after some 260 aircraft de- access to a safety or a training department. Captain Bob Scott, liveries, the company filed for bankruptcy. Director, Business Development at Scott Consulting Services in While it is not all doom and gloom in the the UK, said, “Training is the Achilles heel of VLJs. You are go- present VLJ market, there are key issues ing to allow single pilot operations in complex and crowded that need to be addressed by operators, airspace—everything is going to backfire. The VLJ may well owners and the regulatory authorities. A re- become the widow-maker rather than the winged Ferrari that curring theme at the conference was that of the hype makes it out to be.” He did concede that the credit safety and pilot training. Admittedly, com- crunch did have its advantages for the UK vis-à-vis VLJs. “It is pared to Europe, the ratio of owner/pilots giving us time to put the infrastructure into place.” for VLJs is far superior in the US; however, Eclipse, though unsuccessful in solving its manufacturing there’s no denying the potential problems woes, did take a pioneering step with regard to pilot training. stepping up to the next level. The aircraft’s certified flight manual stated a need for recurrent When the concept of a VLJ was first training. “Because it is in the flight manual the recurrent train- mooted, it was speculated that the skies ing has to be carried out,” explained Robert Barnes of Robert would darken and that these aircraft would Barnes Associates. Insisting on training programme validation, be falling out of the sky. At the conference, Barnes pointed out that there were no controlled studies of VLJ Captain John Cox of the Flight Operations training programmes, further contending: “Today’s regulatory Group at the Royal Aeronautical Society environment for both training and licencing is a hodgepodge. said a VLJ is just “another jet”, but it was Someone needs to take the leadership and address the issues. single pilot operations that compound the Insurers are happy to treat each pilot as a unique case. Manu- risk. Statistical accident data corroborated facturers have a basic training model which is being imple- that aircraft operated by a single pilot have mented in different ways, but with unknown results.” a 50 per cent higher accident rate over a For manufacturers, though, the outlook is different. two-crew aircraft. Cox pointed out that this Where does the responsibility lie for adequate standardised trend applies even when the single pilot VLJ pilot training? Certainly, CAE has three grading levels has more experience than a typical First that it applies to VLJ type-training applicants as part of its Officer of a two-crew aircraft. CAE Embraer Training Services joint venture. OEM Man- Vern Raburn, however, insisted that ager and Head of Training Sven Lepschy said the grading single pilot operations would be safer, enabled CAE “to better tailor the training”.

Issue 3 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 9 BUSINESS AVIATION VLJs

PROMPT ACTION: EMBRAER PLANS TO RETROFIT THE PHENOM 100S ALREADY DELIVERED IN THE US WITH NEW FLAP CONTROL UNIT LOGIC; (LEFT) INSIDE THE AIRCRAFT

control issue. The company is addressing the issue and plans to begin retrofitting the Phenom 100s already delivered in the US with new flap control unit logic and other upgrades from April to correct problems at the centre of a Brazilian emergency airworthiness directive. The US FAA ETIRC Aviation’s Managing Director Matthijs de Haan ex- issued a ‘final’ advisory that prohibits operators from using plained that he had undergone Eclipse’s grading test and was full flaps on landing, unless flying at recommended higher air- told he was not ready for the step up to the jet because of a speeds that are called for in icing conditions to overcome the relative lack of recent IR experience. “I was told to fly and build potential interference of the stick pusher giving un-command- up my IFR experience. I did that for a year and now have a ed inputs. However, its prospects still remain strong. type rating on the Eclipse,” explained de Haan. There are steps For the short term, while Cessna and Embraer dominate being taken to ensure that as more of these aircraft enter our the market, it is a positive sign for VLJs that the Phenom and skies the standards of safety do not drop. But while industry Mustang production lines are not seeing any cutbacks in pro- sceptics and diehard fans engage in battle, the manufacturers duction. If anything this is a sure sign that even through the continue to spot potentials in a market despite the recent spec- current economic crisis, the VLJ concept is no longer a concept tacular failures and a woeful economic climate. but a sustainable reality. Cessna has always maintained that the Citation Mustang—the first technically described VLJ to ‘THE WHOLE POPULAR CONCEPT OF THE VLJ HAS DISAPPEARED’ market—is not actually a VLJ. Like Embraer, Cessna describes Brazilian manufacturer Embraer certified and delivered the the aircraft as an entry-level-jet. “The whole popular concept first Phenom 100 in late December last year. But even the Phe- of the VLJ has disappeared,” says Robert Stangarone, Cessna’s nom 100 is having problems with its well-documented flap Director of Communications. “There are personal jets on their Continued on page 12...

1 2 FAST

CESSNA MUSTANG EMBRAER PHENOM 100 Range: 1,167nm Range: 1,160nm FACTS Powerplant: 2x P&WC PW615F Powerplant: 2x P&WC PW535E 1,615lbf each 1,460lbf each Max cruise speed: 380ktas Max cruise speed: 340ktas Avionics: Embraer Prodigy Avionics: Garmin G1000 Certified: December 2008 Certified: September 2006 3 4 5

EPIC ELITE JET HONDA AIRCRAFT HONDAJET SPECTRUM S-33 INDEPENDENCE Range: 1,400nm Range: 1,180nm Range: 2,050nm Powerplant: 2x P&WC PW617 Powerplant: GE-Honda HF120 Powerplant: 2x Williams FJ33-4A-19 1,750lbf each Max cruise speed: 412ktas 1,880lbf each Max cruise speed: 433ktas Avionics: TBD Max cruise speed: 420ktas Avionics: Avidyne Certified: In development Avionics: Garmin G1000 Certified: In development; targeted for 2011/2012 Certified: In development and targeted for 2010

10 SP’S AVIATION Issue 3 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net ��

��

11_ON RECORD_Embraer on Phenom.indd 11 4/20/09 11:23:09 AM BUSINESS AVIATION VLJs

...Continued from page 10

Air Taxi business model will ever come to fruition, especially in Europe. But, in the meantime, the Mustang is making a positive contribu- tion to conventional air chartering, offering low-cost travel that ensures the industry remains relevant despite the weak economy,” said London Executive Aviation’s Chief Executive Patrick Mar- getson-Rushmore. “In recent years, PIONEERING MOVE: we’ve seen some very innovative new THE ECLIPSE’S players announce their entry into the CERTIFIED FLIGHT market, with pure Air Taxi operators MANUAL STRESSES ON RECURRENT TRAINING; prominent among them. I would argue (LEFT) VIEW FROM THE that they’ve done a lot of good in rais- AIRCRAFT’S COCKPIT ing the industry’s profile and educat- ing the market that business jets can way and there are entry level jets which are the stepping stone also be good value. However, a lot has happened recently to for charter operators. Those in between, that were catching all challenge the ambitions of Air Taxis to revolutionise business the headlines a year or so back, have all but disappeared`” aviation,” Rushmore told delegates at the London conference. “We’ve witnessed the probable demise of Eclipse, a principal ‘MUSTANG SALES CONTINUE TO GROW’ enabler for the model, as well as a nasty recession. In addition, But Cessna believes that concept of the lighter jet will work. we at LEA are sceptical that the high aircraft utilisation aimed “The sales of the Mustang have continued to grow,” says Cess- for by Air Taxis can actually be achieved. I would like to be na’s Vice President of International Sales Roger Whyte. “We proved wrong, but our experience to date makes me doubt it.” have moved from production of 100 aircraft in 2008 to an expected 130 in 2009.” His customers agree. “The current reces- ‘BUSINESS AVIATION REMAINS INDISPENSABLE’ sion means that the jury is still out on whether the vaunted LEA is one of Europe’s largest business aviation charter op-

It’s as if we read the minds of India’s business leaders. In many ways, we did.

Some Citation business jets are so perfectly suited to doing business in India, it’s as if they were created specifically for that purpose. Here’s why: Every Citation is based on what customers tell us they need. Those customers come from all over the world, but they all have three things in common: They are poised on the brink of a major breakthrough in the growth of their business. They are seeing opportunities like never before. And they are looking for the undeniably best way to seize them. Their answer can be your answer – the best-selling business jets and propeller aircraft in the world. For a free, no-obligation analysis of what a Citation business jet can do for your company call Mike McGreevy at 971.4.295.4822 or visit Citation.Cessna.com.

Cessna Aircraft

® 12 SP’S AVIATION Issue 3 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net S u r e Th i n g

Citation Emerging Markets ad for SP’S gs-EmMark_SPs.indd 1 Trim: 40.6 cm x 12.5 cm • Bleed: 41.6 cm x 13.5 cm • Live: 38 cm x 11.5 cm 11/13/07 3:26:24 PM File: CD-ROM, HR PDF with 1 digital proof BUSINESS AVIATION VLJs

erators and was the first in Europe to see the potential of ‘AIR TAXI OPERATIONS ARE A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE’ smaller business jets. In 2002, it placed Cessna’s first Europe- In stark contrast to Margetson-Rushmore’s views are those of an fleet order for the Citation Mustang and, in 2008, became Peter Leiman, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Farnbor- the first European operator to introduce the type into charter ough-based air taxi company Blink. Speaking at the conference, service. “We have always believed in the logic of smaller busi- Leiman said high utilisation is possible. “We’ve already had a ness jets, but with 14 years of charter experience we have day where we put 11 hours onto a single airframe.” Although a good sense of when customers want to fly,” he said. “They he did admit that utilisation that high on a daily basis would be want to leave early in the morning and return late in the eve- unlikely because of the additional Mustangs joining the fleet. ning, and hopefully they’ll make extra stops during the day. And that Air Taxi operations are a viable alternative. “Because But that is a world away from a high utilisation model that the market is fragmented at the moment the end user doesn’t will rack up 1,200 hours per aircraft in a year. To us, a more always get a consistent level of service, but with an Air Taxi op- realistic target is 400 to 600 hours. Does that make you an Air erator they know what they are getting.” Roger Whyte believes Taxi firm or just a charter operator? We find it hard to decide the Mustang’s success story will extend throughout Asia. “We where a line could be drawn.” have seen interest in the region,” he says. “The aircraft offers However, whether Air Taxis or not, Margetson-Rushmore good economic and operational advantages.” says that the Citation Mustang and similar jets are very posi- On the west coast of America, Epic Aircraft remains com- tive developments for the industry. “Right now, I challenge you mitted to offering its family of certified aircraft. The largest is to find any operator for whom the going is easy, but business the Elite, a twin-engine VLJ. Epic Chief Executive Rick Schra- aviation remains an indispensable tool for passengers strug- meck says, “The Elite programme has slowed down because gling to reconcile time and distance. The Citation Mustang has of the global economic situation. We are still going ahead with enabled LEA to cut charter rates by up to 40 per cent, a major it, although it is slower than we would like it to be. But the Dy- saving by any standard. If nothing else, these smaller aircraft nasty (a single engine certified version of its LT turboprop) is have substantially enhanced the competitiveness of conven- going well, and as planned will be ready sooner.” tional air charter and I am convinced they will play an important role in expanding the charter market in the years to ‘WE ARE BELIEVERS IN THE INDIAN MARKET’ come.” Since entering service in February 2008, LEA’s Citation Although VLJs are sitting at the bottom step of the business Mustangs have proved among the most popular aircraft in the aviation ladder, Schrameck said, “To me the issue is whether company’s fleet, achieving on average 350 hours per aircraft a vibrant VLJ market is more of a vibrant GA (general avia- annually despite challenging market conditions. tion) market. Is the market specific to models and what is the Continued on page 14...

It’s as if we read the minds of India’s business leaders. In many ways, we did.

Cessna Aircraft

® S u r e Th i n g Issue 3 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 13

...Continued from page 13 BOEING OPENS RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN INDIA near and far term future of a general aviation light jet market?” Schrameck sees a demand for Epic’s offerings in India. “We are believers in the Indian market. India and China are still going to be major players in general aviation. We look forward to bringing our turboprops and VLJs to these markets. “I think the market is going to grow, maybe not as fast as I would have predicted 10 months ago. But the economy seems vibrant and our interest is very significant. We see it as one of the biggest markets for us,” he says. While Schrameck declined to give a date for the Elite’s certification he did say that the company was hoping to fly a conforming aircraft of its Victory single engine jet by the end of March. He also declined to put a date on certification for the Victory. While the company aims to keep a stake in the jet market Schrameck says the priority is the Dynasty, and that (LEFT TO RIGHT) VICE PRESIDENT, ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY, BOEING it should be certified “within 18 months”. Certification INDIA, DR NAVEED HUSSAIN; PRESIDENT, BOEING INDIA, DR DINESH KESKAR; CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER, THE BOEING COMPANY, DR JOHN programmes are financially exhausting and the company TRACY; SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, DEPARTMENT OF is simultaneously developing three aircraft. “We are self- SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, DR T. RAMASAMI funded, and given the economic market and the failures of new start ups, going out to get financing for aircraft pro- arking the inception of its third advanced grammes isn’t easy,” he said. research centre outside the US, Boeing inaugurated a Research & Technology In- ‘TOUGH TIME BECAUSE OF FINANCING ISSUES’ dia Centre at Bangalore on March 31. The Further down the US west coast, Spectrum Aeronautical is other two are located in Europe and Aus- developing a pair of aircraft. Although arguably the Free- tralia. dom is a mid-size jet, Gary Bushouse, Director of Sales, says, With the establishment of this facility, “Both aircraft are VLJs if you work on the principle of maxi- Boeing is. The centre marks another milestone in Boeing’s mum take off weights.” Although an economic crisis is never Mlong term relationship with India. desired, Bushouse says Spectrum is not feeling the effects Confident of sustaining the company’s competitive tech- as other manufacturers are. “Obviously, any OEM delivering nological edge while enhancing India’s aerospace capabilities, aircraft right now is having a tough time because of financ- the Boeing venture will coordinate and consolidate collabo- ing issues and progress payments. But, because we’re in the ration with Indian R&D organisations, including government development phase we are not really affected by the near agencies and private sector providers, universities, and other term effects of the downturn,” he said. “Ultimately, people companies. “Boeing is partnering with the best researchers will need to fly VLJs, light jets and mid-size jets. With our around the world to find the best technology solutions for outstanding economics and low fuel burn, we will have the our customers, and we look forward to working with our best performing aircraft hands down.” But there are some partners here in India on some promising new technologies,” ripples being noticed by the company. Bushouse expects the said John Tracy, Chief Technology Officer, Boeing and Senior Freedom to fly by the end of 2009 and to go straight into Vice President Engineering, Operations & Technology. flight-testing. “We are still evaluating issues that the eco- Boeing’s research in India will break new ground in aero nomic crisis may have caused for our suppliers. We need to structures, aerodynamics and electronic networks with a see how it will affect our schedules,” he said. team of senior researchers, scientists and engineers. The Tight-lipped about how many orders the company holds, centre will also coordinate the work of more than 1,500 Bushouse, however, said the first years’ production is sold technologists, including 100 advanced technology research- out for both models and that there are already orders for ers, from across India on projects that will help define the the third and fourth year production slots. “It is in the ‘retail’ future of aerospace. “Boeing is defined by its technological market that interest has slowed down. The current interest edge,” said Dinesh Keskar, President of Boeing India. “Work- is nowhere near the same as even six months ago.” ing with India’s technology leaders helps Boeing assimilate Yet, it is India that Bushouse sees a good opportunity. new ideas and innovative processes into our products and “We have been talking to a number of concerns over the last programs. This also is good for India because it helps grow 18 months. The Indian market represent a major opportuni- the capabilities of the Indian R&D community to meet the ty, but it also poses a major obstacle. Whoever comes in and emerging needs in country.” opens the market will have to basically build the infrastruc- The Boeing Research & Technology India Centre will build ture from scratch, and that’s the key factor. There needs to upon an already solid foundation of collaborative research be enough hangarage, fuel farms, pilots and maintenance projects in India. Since 2007, Boeing has been working to- facilities. There are people out there with some great ideas gether with the Indian Institute of Science and two leading and those that implement them will likely be flying Spec- Indian information technology companies, Wipro and HCL, trum aircraft. SP PHOTOGRAPH: BOEING as part of the Aerospace Network Research Consortium. • “The Indian market will be substantial,” he concedes.

14 SP’S AVIATION Issue 3 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net INDUSTRY HELICOPTER

TRENDSETTERS: THE CV-22 OSPREY AND (BELOW LEFT) Rise of the THE SIKORSKY X2

Rotarynly a handful of nations and international consortia By are engaged in developing new designs or upgrades Air Marshal (Retd) V.K. Bhatia in the field of rotary wing aircraft. The trend, however, is not limited merely to upgrades but also encompass- es revolutionary designs that equip the new machines with dual capability of vertical take-off and landing O(VTOL) as well as swiftness and range of fixed-wing aircraft. Two key areas in which developments are concentrated relate to attack helicopters and multi-role rotary-wing aircraft along with some special applications, such as VIP and VVIP transportation. Trend setters involved in the development of the rotary wing include Bell, Boeing and Sikorsky from the US, Eurocopter and AgustaWestland from Europe, and Russia. India has also been making a mark in this field with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limit- ed’s (HAL) versions of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Dhruv. At the forefront of the attack helicopter variations are the Apache, Super Cobra, Tiger, Mi-35 and the indigenous Light Combat Heli- copter. In the multi-role utility designs are the products from Bell, Revolutionary Boeing, Eurocopter, AgustaWestland, Mil Bureau and HAL. V-22 OSPREY designs are A multi-mission, military tilt-rotor aircraft, the V-22 Osprey has both VTOL and short take-off and landing (STOL) capabilities. It is equipping the latest designed to perform missions like a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop versions with swiftness aircraft. The V-22 was developed by Bell Helicopter and is being and the range of manufactured in partnership with Boeing Rotorcraft Systems. The Osprey is the world’s first fully operational tiltrotor air-

PHOTOGRAPHS: USAF, WWW.HELICOPTERSMAGAZINE.COM & AGUSTAWESTLAND WWW.HELICOPTERSMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHS: USAF, ﬁxed-wing aircraft craft, with one three-bladed proprotor, turboprop engine, and

Issue 3 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 15 INDUSTRY HELICOPTER transmission nacelle mounted on each wingtip. For take- the stringiest test of versatility which has become a modern offs and landings, it typically operates as a helicopter with day requirement of any utility helicopter. The helicopter also the nacelles vertical (rotors horizontal). Once airborne, the has an impressive max speed of 300 km/h. nacelles rotate forward 90 deg in as little as 12 seconds, lunging the aircraft into forward flight, converting the V- ALH DHRUV 22 to a fuel-efficient, higher-speed turboprop airplane. The Indigenous, Dhruv has passed the test for its versatility, albeit Osprey can also be used in STOL mode by swinging the in the light weight (5.5-tonne) class and as a multi-role heli- nacelles forward by up to 45 deg. For compact storage and copter which has been successfully developed and manufac- transport, the V-22’s wing rotates to align, front-to-back, tured by HAL. While the ALH is being supplied predominantly with the fuselage. The proprotors can also fold in a se- to the Indian armed forces (80 in service plus 235 on order), quence in about 90 seconds. it has also attracted a large number of other customers both Equipped with a glass cockpit which incorporates four from within the country and also from abroad for military Multi-functional Displays and one shared Central Display and commercial use. HAL plans to annually produce between Unit, it allows the pilots of the Os- 50 and 80 ALHs. prey a variety of images, including One of only three digimaps, FLIR imagery, primary helicopter display flight instruments, system status teams in the world, and navigation (Tactical Air Naviga- the Sarang aero- tion, VHF Omnidirectional Range, batic team of the In- Instrument Landing System, Global dian Air Force (IAF) Positioning System, Inertial Naviga- performs with four tion System). Cockpit management Dhruv helicopters. system allows for a fully-coupled Fitted with autopilot which can take the air- the more power- craft from forward flight into a 50-ft ful Shakti engines, hover with no pilot interaction other REDEFINING VERSATILITY: Dhruv is capable than programming the system. THE NH90 of flying at high al- Ironing out the initial glitches in titudes, a crucial flight-testing programmes, this revo- requirement for lutionary aircraft was cleared for the Indian armed full-scale production three years ago. Its unique utility in the forces. A Dhruv flew to an altitude of 27,500 ft above mean battle area and force-multiplication qualities have been fully sea level in October 2007, bettering the record of 25,000 ft acknowledged, considering the numbers ordered by the US set by an IAF Cheetah helicopter in 2005. A Weapon System armed forces. Planned production includes 360 for the Ma- Integrated (WSI) Dhruv is under development for the Indian rine Corps, 48 for the navy and 50 for the USAF. armed forces. It will have stub wings fitted to carry up to eight anti-armour missiles, four air-to-air missiles or four rocket NH90 HELICOPTER pods of 68 mm and 70 mm rockets. The WSI variant will also A medium transport/utility helicopter, NH90 is a highly suc- be equipped with Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR), Charge cessful product of NH Industries which entered a contract Couple Device camera and a target acquisition system with with NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA), ini- thermal sight and laser rangefinder. In addition, Nexter Sys- tially as a consortium of four participating nations, namely, tems (formerly GIAT) has been contracted for the installation France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, with Portugal of THL 20, 20 mm gun turret which is armed with M621 low- joining in as the fifth partner in 2001. The NH90 has been recoil cannon that combines with a helmet-mounted sight. developed into two main variants: the Tactical Transport He- licopter (TTH) and the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH). How- SIKORSKY X2 CO-AXIAL HELICOPTER ever, many of the customer countries have asked for special A highly revolutionary helicopter design is being undertaken modifications. A large production order for about 300 heli- by the reputed US-based Sikorsky Aircraft. Christened the copters by partner countries was soon followed by a series of Sikorsky X2 Demonstrator, it is an experimental compound orders from Europe, the Middle East and Australia. In 2007, co-axial helicopter under development by the company. Belgium became the sixth nation to join NAHEMA. Sikorsky will incorporate decades of research into X2 tech- The primary role of the NFH version is autonomous anti- nology, including the S-69/XH-59A Advance Blade Concept submarine warfare) and anti-surface unit warfare, mainly Demonstrator which showed high speed was possible with from naval ships. Additional roles include anti-air warfare a co-axial helicopter and auxiliary propulsion. support, vertical replenishment, search and rescue, and In addition, the Cypher UAV expanded the designers’ troop transport. The primary role of the TTH version, on the knowledge of the unique aspects of flight control laws in a other hand, is transport of 20 troops or more than 2,500 fly-by-wire aircraft that employed co-axial rotors, and the kg of cargo and heliborne operations, besides search and RAH-66 Comanche, which developed expertise in compos- rescue. It can quickly be adapted to MEDEVAC or CASEVAC ite rotors and advanced transmission design. The X2’s first missions by fitting up to 12 stretchers, special operations, flight took place in August 2008. The flight test programme electronic warfare, airborne command post, parachuting, is well under way promising attainment of cruise speeds up VIP transport and flight training. The NH90, therefore, meets to 250 kts (460 km/h). SP

16 SP’S AVIATION Issue 3 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net INDUSTRY HONEYWELL The Modular, Reliable, High Performance Solution Ready for Jaguar The Honeywell F125IN turbofan engine is a drop-ﬁt retroﬁt, superior option for Jaguar re-engining

he F125IN is a high performance, low bypass-ratio Ready for Jaguar. Axial turbines drive the fan and compres- turbofan engine that meets the most rigorous re- sor rotors on concentric co-rotating shafts employing high quirements of modern light combat and advanced work single-stage designs. Low HP turbine temperatures trainer aircraft. The F125IN engine was designed in ensure long life and inherent growth capability. Substantial Taccordance with U.S. Military specifications and standards, thrust growth has been designed specifically for demanding including the USAF’s Engine Structural Integrity Program military applications. (ENSIP), MIL-STD 1783. ADVANCED CONTROL MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE Designed from inception to operate with a Full Authority The engine has the highest thrust-toweight ratio in its class Digital Electronic Control (FADEC), the engine includes all and allows unlimited operation at all power ratings. Incor- controls and sensors required for fully automatic operation porating a three-stage fan and five-stage axicentrifugal and unrestricted throttle movement throughout the flight high-pressure compressor, the unique design of the F125IN envelope. Pilot workload is significantly reduced through engine maximizes engine performance while providing ex- features such as automatic start and ignition sequencing, ceptional inlet distortion tolerance and stall resistance. With unrestricted throttle movement, continuous temperature only a single stage of variable geometry at the compressor in- and speed limiting, automatic control of the afterburner, let, the F125IN design also reduces complexity and increases including continuous thrust modulation from max dry thru

PHOTOGRAPH: SP GUIDE PUBNS (HONEYWELL EXHIBITS AT AERO INDIA 09, BANGALORE) INDIA 09, AERO PHOTOGRAPH: SP GUIDE PUBNS (HONEYWELL EXHIBITS AT reliability. The Modular, Reliable, High Performance Solution max reheat, automatic relight after engine or afterburner

Issue 3 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 17 INDUSTRY HONEYWELL

Key Honeywell Advantages Key Performance Data Performance Sea Level Static, Standard Day, Nominal Engine Customer focus Intermediate Maximum The F124/F125 engine family has a proven track record of meeting critical customer requirements for both oems and operators. the F125 Thrust, Ibf 6,230 9,850 has proven itself with more than 600,000 hours of operational expe- SFC, Ibm/hr/Ibf 0.775 1.91 rience in the Republic of China Air Force (ROC, Taiwan) Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF). Inlet Airflow lbm/s 92.5 92.6 The non-afterburning version of the F125, the F124, has a long Overall Pressure Ratio 19.2 19.2 record of demonstrated success in powering military aircraft, including three highly successful re-engining programs. in service with a Bypass Ratio 0.46 0.46 diverse range of aircraft including the Alenia Aermacchi M-346, Aero Vodochody L-159 and the Boeing/DARPA X-45A UCAV the F124 demonstrates the adaptability of the F125/F124 to new installations and Key Jaguar Benefits Key F125IN Features Honeywell commitment to its customers. – Drop fit Retrofit – Highest Thrust to Weight Ratio Technology licensing – 20-40% Aircraft Performance – Minimal Thrust Deterioration Recognized leadership in advanced technology development with a Improvement – FADEC wide range of patented and proprietary processes and products avail- – Reduced Pilot Workload – High Reliability and Durability able for license. – Improved Flight Safety Advanced technologies – Reduced Mission Aborts Using the newest processes, materials and concepts to design propul- – Life Cycle Cost - $1.5Bn of saving sion system high reliability solutions with improved performance, and cost effective operation. Global network Worldwide resources that span the americas, europe, middle east, EASE OF MAINTENANCE africa, asia and the south pacific, providing 24/7/365 support and The F125IN includes several features designed to ease a full range of maintenance, repair and overhaul, and customer ser- maintenance. An integrated Engine Monitoring System vice capabilities. (EMS) continuously monitors engine health and tracks life usage in order to alert the operator when a maintenance action is required. This on-condition maintenance philosophy helps to significantly reduce maintenance and down times. The EMS also records important data to be used for performance trend monitoring. EMS health monitoring and diagnostic information is integrated into the technical publications to ensure rapid post flight engine analysis and fault isolation. Engine life records are also automatically captured and transferred to engine maintenance records. Oth- er design concepts such as the elimination of safety wire, the elimination of shimming requirements, easy access to line replaceable units, and excellent boroscope access have been incorporated to simplify maintenance actions. SOURCE: HONEYWELL The F125IN engine is offered with a comprehen- sive and proven Integrated Logistics Support pro- flameout, and transient fuel and nozzle scheduling to avoid gram. Packages can be tailored to meet the specific re- engine surge. The dual FADECs perform continuous diag- quirements of the operator and include Ground Support nostics through built-in test (BIT) and fault-detection/ ac- Equipment (GSE), Logistics Support Analysis (LSA), provi- commodation logic. Transfers to backup modes of operation sioning and spares management, maintenance training, are performed automatically with no pilot action required, and technical publications. and with no degradation in engine performance. JAGUAR BENEFITS MODULAR DESIGN The F125IN engine is designed to be a drop-fit retrofit for the The F125IN engine is designed to be truly modular. All Jaguar and requires no changes to the aircraft engine bay or modules can be installed or removed from the engine, or inlet. Its modern design will transform the Jaguar aircraft. interchanged with modules from another engine, without Its best in class thrust-toweight will provide a 23% reduction requiring special re-testing, balancing, or shimming. This in takeoff distance or 2000 kg increase in allowable take- feature of the engine provides significant maintenance and off weight and up to a 36% improvement in mission radius. logistics benefits to the operator, and also facilitates inter- Whilst reducing maintenance costs thru longer time between national co-production and support. inspections and superior thrust retention. SP

18 SP’S AVIATION Issue 3 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net Hall of Fame ERELY EIGHT YEARS at times carrying out circuits, at times Duigan, who witnessed the flight, pur- AFTER the Wright doing some “rolling practice”. The last chased the biplane on the spot. The air- brothers’ historic first reference in the issue of March 2, 1912 craft that Setty built for Duigan is con- flight in 1903, the first says he “placed the Avro on its head”. sidered the prototype of Avro’s later E Indian followed suit. The report mentions that the pilot was type. The D and E types were the mod- MIn 1911-12, S.V. Setty designed and unharmed, but this was probably Setty’s els for the Avro 500. The Avro 500 was helped manufacture planes at Avro of final flight. Notably, aviation at the time itself the inspiration for the Avro 504— UK. He also piloted them. However, a was dominated by accidents—minor the first and one of the most widely op- blaze that engulfed sections of Avro’s and major—that did not necessarily re- erated early trainer aircraft—that first plant in Chadderton in October 1959 flect on the calibre of the pilot. flew in September 1913. destroyed most of the early re- In a certificate dated March cords of the company. Besides, 12, 1912 Avro recommended it obliterated much of the evi- Setty with the words: “He has had dence of Setty’s remarkable considerable experience in the aviation achievements. Flying School and has become Sri Ram Venkata Subba Setty very efficient in the tuning up of (conveniently contracted to S.V. aeroplanes and engines. He has Setty, and sometimes spelled the makings of a very good pilot. Setti), was born on December He has also worked in the Draw- 28, 1879 into a family of meagre ing Office on some new types of resources. After his early edu- machines, and we now consider cation in Mysore, he graduated him to have had sufficient experi- from Madras University. Later, at ence to be left in entire charge of Thomson College of Engineering, the erection of a machine of any Roorkee, he distinguished him- type.” Setty left England on June self taking first place. He joined 30, 1912 with a gold medal from the Mysore State service in 1906 S.V. SETTY A.V. Roe for ‘General Proficiency as Assistant Engineer. In 1909, in Aeronautics’. Inscribed on it he won a scholarship for an elec- (1879 – 1918) was an Avro E. trical engineering diploma from In Bangalore, Setty began Faraday House, England, where While testing an Avro D working towards his dream of he later gained practical experi- building a plane in India. However, ence through stints in engineer- prototype, S.V. Setty crashed he was denied permission. A few ing companies. years later, an influenza epidemic Setty was determined not to but escaped unhurt. To improve that killed about a fifth of the city’s return to India without learning the machine, he came up with population claimed his life, as also aeronautics. However, he was that of his wife and one of their financially insecure since the a new design. Avro allowed him four daughters. He breathed his Mysore government refused to last on October 12, 1918. extend his deputation (though he to implement his design and J.R.D. Tata, the first Indian was granted leave without pay). asked Setty to ﬂy it. He did, and to hold a pilot’s licence, is right- There was also strong opposi- fully acknowledged as the father tion from his family. Undeterred, landed safely. Famous Australian of Indian civil aviation. S.V. Setty, he joined A.V. Roe and Company though he never held a formal li- (Avro)—the only British company aviator John Duigan, who cence, also merits recognition. The specialising in building aircraft— July 1912 issue of The Modern in May 1911 and plunged into witnessed the ﬂight, purchased Review, published from Calcutta, aircraft designing. With financial the biplane on the spot. calls him “the first Indian avia- support from a well-wisher, he tor”. A letter signed by H.V. Roe also enrolled to learn flying at (brother of A.V. Roe) dated April the Avro School. 25, 1912 refers to him as “a very The first reference to ‘S.V. Setti’ in But Setty had joined Avro to be an capable flier” and states that he sent in Flight, the official organ of the Aero aircraft designer. While testing an Avro his application for the Royal Aero Club Club of the UK that started publication D prototype, he crashed but managed Pilot Certificate but had to leave before in January 1909, is in the issue dated to escape unhurt. Determined to im- taking the formal tests. In sum, despite June 24, 1911 where he is referred to as prove the machine, he studied its flaws the Avro fire, the evidence is clear—Set- a “new pupil” at Brooklands Aerodrome. and soon came up with a new design. ty was indeed the first Indian to design, Over the next eight months it makes Avro allowed him to implement his de- build and fly an aircraft solo. SP around 10 references to Setty flying var- sign, which he did. They asked him to —Group Captain (Retd) ious exercises in “the Avro biplane” or fly it—once again he obliged and landed Joseph Noronha, “the Green-engined Avro”, usually solo, safely. Famous Australian aviator John Goa

Issue 3 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 19 NEWSDigest MILITARY Stratotankers located at Manas to spares supply for British RoundUp base delivers more than fuel Hawk Advanced Jet Train- Quick Asia-Pacific to the fight in Afghanistan as it ers (AJTs), India has shelved is revolutionising the way war plans to place follow-on orders ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS NATO forces face shortage is fought by serving as a data for 40 AJTs and instead have of helicopters in Afghanistan network relay high above the floated new tenders to supple- • Alliant Techsystems has announced Afghanistan is shaping up as a battlefield. At first glance, the ment its trainer fleet. A fresh that it has successfully completed test of the NATO alliance but so cluster of cases mounted in request for proposal (RFP) testing for a new class of hypersonic far the report is mixed. While the back of Manas Air Base’s was reportedly issued about a propulsion systems that will enable a number of allied countries 50-year-old KC-135s does not month ago to six global aircraft High Speed Strike Weapons and UAVs have committed troops, very look very revolutionary, but manufacturers. Surprisingly, to travel long distances at velocities few of the NATO countries’ the innovative system and UK-based Hawks manufactur- more than five times the speed of available helicopters have its use on a refueling tanker er BAE Systems is among the sound which are being funded by the been committed, despite prom- employs the Roll-On-Beyond- six companies to have received US Air Force. ises made and commanders’ Line-Of-Sight-Enhancement the RFP. Other trainers the IAF requests from the field. Over (ROBE) system. Developed by has sent the tender papers to ANTONOV the longer term, however, a Northrop Grumman in 2003, are Italy’s Alenia for the M- different solution has emerged ROBE is a communication 346, Korean T-50s, the Czech • In April, An-148 regional jet of a of chartering private helicopter system that provides a seam- L-159, Russian YAK-130 and new generation starts regular flights, support that can take care of less and secure distribution the MiG-AT Trainer. as Antonov ASTC and AeroSvit airline more routine missions, free- of information to warfighters, have decided to jointly launch An-148 ing the military helicopters in local commanders and higher Standards presentation to for operations. The aircraft will carry theater for other tasks. headquarters. It also over- IAF units out regular flights on the airlines’ comes terrain restrictions by On March 25, President regional routes. IAF One takes off facilitating beyond-line-of-sight Pratibha Patil presented the on first official flight communications. ROBE knocks ‘Standards’ to 108 Squadron BOEING precious minutes off the ‘sen- and 105 Helicopter Unit, in sor-to-shooter’ kill chain and a magnificent ceremonial • The sixth and final Boeing 787 fills in the communication parade held at Air Force Sta- Dreamliner designated for flight test ‘shadows’ caused by Afghani- tion, Gorakhpur. Present on is now undergoing final assembly in stan’s rugged terrain. the occasion were Governor of Everett, Washington. The airplane, Uttar Pradesh T.V. Rajeshwar designated ZA006, will be powered North Korea fires missile Rao, Chief of the Air Staff Air with General Electric GEnx engines. over Japan Chief Marshal F.H. Major and The 787 Dreamliner has orders for Defying warnings issued by a number of other senior air 878 airplanes from 57 customers. Japan, South Korea and the force officers and civil dignitar- Ushering in an era of power- US, North Korea launched a ies. The ceremony included a EMBRAER jetting-in-style for VVIPs, Presi- Taepodong-2 missile which Ceremonial Parade, a fly past dent Pratibha Patil inducted flew into the Pacific Ocean over by various aircraft, aerobat- • Embraer has confirmed signing the the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) northern Japan. Pyongyang ics by Su-30 MKI, sky diving Ecuadorian Air Force for the sale of newly-acquired, highly-secure claimed it carried an experi- by Akash Ganga Team and a 24 Super Tucano turboprop aircraft, Boeing Business Jets (BBJs) mental communications satel- photo exhibition and release of through a contract that was finalised on April 1 and embarked on lite. Confirming that no debris First Day Covers. last year. The tandem-seat airplanes a visit to Arunachal Pradesh from the “provocative rocket will be used on border patrol mis- and Assam on its inaugural launch” had fallen on its terri- India to equip para-military sions and for pilot training. Deliveries flight. Patil performed prayers tory, the Japanese government forces with air power are scheduled to begin late this year. and cut a ribbon to mark the said the first stage of the rocket India has decided to equip commissioning of the aircraft fell into the Sea of Japan 13 para-military forces with air EUROPEAN DEFENCE AGENCY worth around $180 million minutes after the launch, about power in the wake of threats to (Rs 934 crore) into the IAF’s 280 km off Japan’s western Indian airports and the Mum- • A multinational helicopter exercise, Communication Squadron at shore. The booster stage bai terror attacks last Novem- organised by the European Defence Palam airport in Delhi. The dropped in the western Pacific ber, a senior Indian Home Min- Agency and hosted by France, was plush VVIP cabin comprises a Ocean nearly 1,300 miles east istry official said. “The main conducted during March in the Alps. state-of-the-art executive office of Japan. Japan’s Chief Cabinet para-military forces—the Bor- Belgium, Czech Republic, France, with conferencing facilities and Secretary Takeo Nakamura der Security Force, the Central Hungary and Spain, as well as per- a private bedroom, besides in- called North Korea’s ac- Industrial Security Force, the sonnel from nine other EU member flight entertainment features. tion “extremely regrettable.” Assam Rifles and, the elite states participated. Designed to act as a command Nakamura said irrespective command of force, the Na- centre-cum-office in the sky of whether North Korea was tional Security Guards—would GE ROLLS-ROYCE FIGHTER in the event of an emergency placing a satellite into space, soon be given eight multi-util- ENGINE TEAM such as a nuclear attack, the as it claimed, or was indeed ity light Dhruv helicopters to BBJs derived from Boeing testing a missile, the launch boost their operations in harsh • The GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine 737-700 are custom built for violated a UN Security Council terrains and in difficult situa- Team has completed its recommen- the IAF by the US aircraft resolution forbidding Pyong- tions like a terrorist attack on dations to the Joint Strike Fighter manufacturer. yang from further ballistic the country,” the official said. Program Office and the Australian De- missile development. The Home Ministry has signed partment of Defence for maintenance KC-135s, a revelation in a deal worth $70 million (Rs and repair of engines for future F-35 Afghanistan war IAF plans for additional 350 crore) with Hindustan Lightning II aircraft. The team is devel- The 376th Air Expedition- Hawk jet trainers shelved Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in oping the F136 engine for the F-35. ary Wing’s fleet of KC-135 Upset over problems relating Bangalore.

20 SP’S AVIATION Issue 3 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net NEWSDigest Americas unmanned aircraft systems installed a hotline, and we’ve RoundUp (UAS) from a Royal Australian provided several immediate- Quick LITENING surpasses one Air Force (RAAF) Wedgetail response efforts that included million operational hours 737 Airborne Early Warning two C-17 Globemaster III HARRIER Northrop Grumman has and Control aircraft flying over aircraft providing cold-weather achieved over one million Washington State. The three and earthquake relief in the • This year British-designed Harrier operational hours for the ScanEagles were launched region,” he said. celebrates its 40th birthday, having LITENING precision targeting from Boeing’s Boardman Test spent the past five years as a main- and sensor systems currently Facility in eastern Oregon, Airbus integrates MTAD stay on operations in Afghanistan. The deployed with US and allied around 190 km away from the as “Airbus Military” Harrier is unique in that no other jet forces. LITENING Advanced airborne Wedgetail. EADS’s former military in service has its Vertical/Short Take- Targeting pods have proven transport aircraft division, Off and Landing capability where their combat capabilities and Sniper pod improves MTAD, has fully integrated into pilots can land on shortened runways, inherent flexibility to adapt to lethality of B-1 Airbus. As a new Airbus busi- carrier decks or on landing pads in changing operational require- ness unit, “Airbus Military” will the middle of a forest. ments. Rapid integration on a be accountable for all military wide variety of aircraft (AV-8B, activities within Airbus. Based IRAQ A-10A/C, B-52H, EA-6Bs, F- in Spain Airbus Military is in 15E, F-16 and F/A-18s), plus charge of all EADS military • February-end Coalition jet fighters the wide fielding of internal transport aircraft, ranging shot down an Iranian drone hovering data links are just two ex- from the small CN-235 and over Iraq. It was detected hovering amples of the benefits realised C-295 transport aircraft, to the inside the Iraqi border and tracked by the warfighter. world leading multi role tanker for nearly one hour and 10 minutes The B-1 Lancer, one of the transport based on the Airbus and after positive identification, it THAAD successful in mission most versatile aircraft in the A330, and the A400M. was shot down by coalition aircraft. against separating target US Air Force arsenal, is now The drone is believed to be Iranian- Lockheed Martin and the US even more lethal due to a Europe made Ababil 3. Missile Defense Agency have small torpedo-shaped pod conducted their sixth success- stuck to the plane’s underbelly. Technical-operational LOCKHEED MARTIN ful test in six attempts of the Called the Sniper Advanced evaluation of ASMP-A Terminal High Altitude Area Targeting Pod, this device The third technical-operational • The Lockheed Martin F-35 Light- Defense (THAAD) weapon enables the B-1’s aircrew to evaluation of the ASMP-Amé- ning II has begun two weeks of hover system at the Pacific Missile ‘see’ the battlefield better using lioré (Improved Air-Sol Moy- pit testing powered by Pratt & Whit- Range Facility. This flight test both infrared and television enne Portée) medium-range ney’s F135 propulsion system. Hover demonstrated the system’s sensors. This gives them the nuclear stand-off missile has pit testing of the F135 Short Take ability to detect, track and capability to positively identify been completed on schedule. Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) intercept a separating target targets without additional aids A Mirage 2000N nuclear strike variant demonstrates integration of inside the Earth’s atmosphere. such as other aircraft or fighter took off from Istres air Pratt & Whitney’s flight-proven F135 This was the first salvo ground personnel and allows base, in southeastern France. engine with Rolls Royce-designed mission, with two THAAD the operator to see behind the The crew fired the inert missile STOVL lift components. The F135 is interceptors launched against aircraft for a 360-degree view. (without its nuclear warhead) the only engine powering the F-35 a single separating target The Sniper ATP possesses at a designated offshore Lightning II flight test programme. which is a tactical option for advanced targeting technology maritime firing range and the the system. As in previous and its high-resolution image missile completed its nominal • Ceremonies were held at Lock- tests, soldiers operated the processing allows aircrews to flight profile. This operation, heed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas, THAAD system throughout this detect and identify tactical-size designed to be representa- to commemorate the F-16 Peace mission, employing a tactical targets outside threat rings tive of an operational nuclear Xenia IV programme for Greece. launch mode. Lockheed Martin for the destruction of enemy strike mission, was the third This F-16 acquisition is the fourth is the THAAD prime contrac- air defence mission, as well and final phase of the valida- for the Hellenic Air Force of Greece, tor and systems integrator for as outside jet noise ranges tion process of the ASMP-A. raising the number fighters ordered four major components: radar; for urban counter-insurgency by it to 170. a fire control and communi- operations. Rheinmetall, BAE Systems to cations unit; launchers and cooperate in ARED project • Lockheed Martin has been award- interceptors. More work needed in military Rheinmetall AG and BAE ed a contract to upgrade the Taiwan ties with China: US admiral Systems have agreed to coop- Navy’s P-3C maritime patrol and Boeing demonstrates C&C The US has made “some erate on an advanced radar reconnaissance aircraft. Upgrades will of ScanEagle UAS real headway” in improving system for Germany’s ARED include new mission system avionics relations with China, but “the project, specifically designed and service life extension kits to relationship isn’t where we for extensive airspace cover- extend the aircraft’s service life for an want it to be”, Navy Admi- age. Starting in 2012, the additional 15,000 flight hours. ral Timothy J. Keating of US German government plans to Pacific Command (Pacom) has install a total of six radar sys- NORTHROP GRUMMAN told the Senate Armed Services tems, which will eventually Committee. Admiral Keating cover the entire country from • Northrop Grumman Corporation cited solid progress in the US- the Alps to the sea. It issued achieved new heights in compact, Sino relationship since the Chi- a request for tenders at the electric laser weapons by producing On March 16, Boeing success- nese denied port access to the beginning of February 2009. the most powerful light ray yet cre- fully demonstrated simultane- USS Kitty Hawk battle group The system will substantially ated by an electric laser, measured at ous command and control during the 2007 Thanksgiving improve air safety through- more than 105 kilowatts. (C&C) of three ScanEagle weekend. “Since then, we’ve out German airspace.

Issue 3 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 21 NEWSDigest APPOINTMENTS CIVIL AVIATION QuickRoundUp ASHOK NAYAK IS NEW HAL CHAIRMAN Asia-Pacific From April 1, Ashok Nayak took over from • Northrop Grumman Corporation Ashok K. Baweja as the Chairman of Hindustan Boeing to deliver 100 planes has announced that the Liten- Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Baweja retired on to India in five years ing targeting and sensor pod set March 31. Previously the Managing Director of US aircraft maker Boeing will another milestone by becoming the HAL’s Bangalore Complex, Nayak will be its 15th deliver 100 planes worth $17 first 3rd Generation system to book Chairman having joined the organisation as a billion (Rs 84,700 crore) over customer orders for over 500 pods. management trainee in 1973. On the eve of tak- the next four to five years to The company’s latest contract is from ing over as the Chairman, Nayak said, “With the offset opportu- Indian airlines, and will have the US Marine Corp and Air National nity and massive new programmes coming up, HAL must find to compensate some for the Guard for the Litening G4 targeting ways and means to capture all these opportunities for a safe late delivery of 787 Dream- and sensor pods. and secure future. We have made an impact in the international liners. “We clearly want to market and will now have to focus on our exports further to extend our footprint in India,” PRATT & WHITNEY stay ahead in the race.” President of Boeing India Dinesh Keskar told report- • Pratt & Whitney have begun BOEING NAMES GREG HYSLOP HEAD OF ers at the launch of Boeing’s production of the first F100-PW-229 MISSILE DEFENSE DIVISION research and technology Engine Enhancement Package (EEP) The Boeing Company has appointed Greg Hyslop Vice centre in Bangalore. Boeing engines. The F100-PW-229 EEP President and General Manager of the company’s Missile has not seen any cancella- represents the latest evolution in the Defense Systems division. Hyslop succeeds Scott Fancher, who tion of its order for civilian F100 series of engines, recognised assumed responsibility for Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ 787 aircraft from Indian airlines, worldwide for its safety, reliability and Dreamliner programme in December 2008. though Jet Airways deferred cost effective operation. the order of two aircraft last SENIOR POSTS IN SNECMA year that was expected to be RAYTHEON Snecma and Snecma Services, both companies in the SAFRAN delivered later this year. Group, merged their businesses on February 1 to adapt to • Raytheon Co., Space and Airborne changes in the aviation market and meet customer expecta- HAL, CAE ink contracts for Systems, has been awarded a tions. Within the scope of this merger, Philippe Petitcolin has helicopter training centre firm fixed price contract for the been confirmed as Chairman and CEO of the expanded Snecma, A joint venture of HAL and procurement of 19 AN/APG-79 Active and Denis Vercherin, previously Chairman and CEO of Snecma CAE has finalised all necessary Electronically Scanned Array radars to Services, has been named Senior Vice President of Snecma. contracts and non-recourse be retrofitted into F/A-18E/F aircraft financing to begin construction Lots 26-29. The radars will replace MEADS INTERNATIONAL NAMES STEVEN BARNOSKE and development of a new $60 the APG-73 radars currently installed NEXT PRESIDENT million (Rs 300 crore) helicop- in the aircraft and work is expected The MEADS International Board of Directors has announced ter training centre in Banga- to be completed by end-2010. that Steven Barnoske will become President of MEADS Interna- lore. The Helicopter Academy tional, the international joint venture that is developing the next to Train by Simulation of • Raytheon has delivered the fifth generation of ground-mobile air and missile defence systems for Flying, equally-owned by HAL and final Sentinel R Mk 1 aircraft the US, Germany and Italy. MEADS is the 21st century replace- and CAE, will have a CAE-built to the UK Royal Air Force which also ment for Patriot air and missile defense systems in the US and full-mission simulator featur- completes the delivery of all Airborne Germany, and for the Nike Hercules system in Italy. ing its revolutionary roll-on/ Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) equipment. roll-off cockpit design, which ASTOR aids counter IED operations NORTHROP GRUMMAN APPOINTS DAVID L. RYAN enables cockpits representing and also other threats such as VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT various helicopter types to be indirect fire location. FOR ITS INFORMATION SYSTEMS SECTOR used in the simulator. Northrop Grumman Corporation has named David L. Ryan RUSSIA Vice President for Business Development at its Information Systems sector, reporting directly to Linda A. Mills, Corporate INDUSTRY • Russia has conceded that it had Vice President and President of Information Systems. signed a contract for the supply Americas of highly potent S-300 air defence missiles to Iran two years ago, but Embraer’s Phenom 300 said that the actual deliveries were Embraer launches KC-390 programme. The new jet will programme gathers pace yet to commence depending on the programme meet the needs of the FAB, in ‘international situation’. Both the US full compliance with the new and Israel have been opposing trans- National Defense Strategy. The fer of the S-300 (SA-10, Grumble) air participation of other coun- defence missile complexes. tries in this programme will be evaluated, in conjunction SUKHOI COMPANY with the FAB, and the aircraft is expected to enter service in • In February 2008, Sukhoi 2015. The KC-390 project will Embraer moved steadily Company had started flight tests of contribute, in the short term, forward in its Phenom 300 Su-35. The Su-35 multi-role super- to maintaining highly qualified light jet programme, with the manoeuverable fighter has now Embraer has signed a contract jobs, and, longer-term, it has first flight of the fourth test made its 100th flight during which with the Brazilian Air Force the potential for generating aircraft at the end of Febru- they conducted final tests of the (FAB) for the new KC-390 significant export volumes with ary 2009. This jet, registration flight control system. In the second military transport aircraft important aggregate value. number PP-XVL, and the third

22 SP’S AVIATION Issue 3 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net NEWSDigest SHOW CALENDAR (PP-XVK), which first flew on SPACE RoundUp December 23, 2008, are being Quick 16 April – 17 April operated from the Company’s Americas INTERNATIONAL Flight Test Center at the quarter of 2009 one more aircraft AIR TAXI & CHARTER Gavião Peixoto plant, in Brazil, United Space Alliance bags is planned to join in and bring the CONVENTION alongside the first two Phenom contract for Ares I, Ares 1-X number of flights up to 150-160 on Westin Hotel, 300 executive jets. The test Alliant Techsystems an- three fighters. Fort Lauderdale, fleet is comprised of four air- nounced that it has awarded Florida, USA craft: two fully instrumented, United Space Alliance (USA) SWEDISH AIR FORCE URL: www.miuevents.com. one equipped with basic a $257 million (1,280 crore) SIMULATION CENTER interior and flight test instru- contract to perform subcon- 21 April – 23 April mentation, and another with tractor support to ATK for • Sweden has become a con- AEROSPACE 2009: interior furnishings, which will the NASA’s Ares I and Ares tender for the Greek jet fighter FACING UP TO THE be used for functional and reli- 1-X programmes through the programme by offering its Gripen as FUTURE ability tests and in the maturity Design, Development, Test and an alternative to the French Rafale, No.4 Hamilton Place, campaign. Engineering phase (DDT&E). the Eurofighter Typhoon, and the London, The contract includes engi- Boeing F-18E Super Hornet. Greece United Kingdom Boeing unveils new global neering, deceleration system is pursuing a two-round procurement URL: www.aerosociety.com F-15 configuration development and techni- strategy in which the first round is cal Kennedy Space Center to conclude this year and calls for 21 April – 23 April operations support for Stage an initial procurement of 40 aircraft CORPORATE AVIATION I activities. ATK is the prime with an option for a further 20. SAFETY SEMINAR contractor for Ares I first Deliveries would then take place in Hilton Walt Disney World, stage, supporting NASA with 2010 and 2011. Orlando, Florida overall requirements matura- URL: www.flightsafety.org. tion, system integration and TURKISH AEROSPACE establishment of interfaces INDUSTRIES 23 April – 24 April within subsystems. The Ares I SPACE-BASED ISR The Boeing Company has launch vehicle, which is slated • Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. Harrah’s, Las Vegas, unveiled the F-15 Silent Eagle to replace the Space Shuttle, (TAI), a major international supplier Nevada, USA (F-15SE), a new F-15 configu- utilises a five-segment reus- to Northrop Grumman Corporation URL: www.ttcus.com ration designed to meet the able booster for its first stage on the F-35 Lightning II aircraft future needs of international which is derived from the twin programme has delivered its first 6 May – 7 May customers. Improvements in four-segment boosters used structural assemblies for the jet. The RAF AIR POWER stealth include coatings and to launch the Shuttle. USA’s metallic assemblies which contain CONFERENCE treatments on the aircraft. subcontract work includes more than 100 parts each represent Park Plaza Riverbank, With the added advantage Ares 1-X tasks to support the the next major step forward in TAI’s London of redesigned conformal fuel test launch this year, engineer- evolving role as a second source URL: www.shephard.co.uk tanks that allow for internal ing support, refurbishment supplier of complete F-35 centre weapons carriage, the Silent of booster components and fuselages. 11 May – 13 May Eagle becomes a very attractive subsystems for the DDT&E AIR POWER ASIA 2009 fighter for Boeing’s interna- first stage, and procurement of UK TBC, Singapore tional customers. The Silent several heritage avionics and URL: www.defenceiq.com Eagle will be able to internally ordnance components. • British Defence Secretary John carry air-to-air missiles, such Hutton has announced that the May 12-14 as the AIM-9 and AIM-120, and Europe first of the UK’s next generation EUROPEAN BUSINESS air-to-ground weapons, such as of supersonic stealth fast jets, the AVIATION CONVENTION & the Joint Direct Attack Muni- ILS, SES announce three Joint Strike Fighters (JSF), are to be EXHIBITION tion and Small Diameter Bomb. new Proton launches purchased by the MOD. He added Palexpo Convention Center, International Launch Services that three JSF test aircraft are to P.O Box 112, P.O. Box 112, GE Aviation’s services (ILS) and SES have announced be purchased, marking a significant Geneva business going strong three new launch assign- milestone in the UK’s commitment to URL: www.ebace.aero As the aviation industry deals ments under the Multi Launch the JSF project. with the global economic Agreement that was signed in 18 May – 20 May downturn, GE Aviation’s ser- June 2007 between ILS and US AIR FORCE UNMANNED AIR vices business is providing SES Satellite Leasing Limited, SYSTEMS 09— stable, long-term revenues SES’ satellite procurement • The US Air Force has accepted LATEST PROGRAMMES while helping customers cope and leasing company. Two of delivery of Raytheon Company’s & REQUIREMENTS with the challenging environ- the primary missions will be first Miniature Air Launched Decoy 17-18 Upper Woburn Place, ment. GE Aviation has an NSS-14 for SES NEW SKIES (MALD) low rate initial production Hilton Euston, London installed base of more than and Sirius 5 for SES SIRIUS. unit. It is a state-of-the-art, low-cost URL: www.andforum.com 8,000 engines in service, while These missions are scheduled flight vehicle that is modular, air- CFM International, a 50/50 respectively for late 2010 and launched and programmable. MALD 20 May – 21 May joint company of GE and Snec- 2011. NSS-14 is poised to protects aircrews and their aircraft SPACE SECURITY ma (SAFRAN Group), has more be the largest satellite in the by duplicating the combat flight AND DEFENSE than 13,000 engines in service. SES NEW SKIES fleet and will profiles and signatures of US and al- Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, They are the foundation for GE enhance what is already the lied aircraft. It weighs less than 300 Alexandria, Aviation’s Services, with 2008 largest neighborhood in the lbs and has a range of approximately Virginia, USA revenues approaching $7 bil- Atlantic Ocean region at 338 500 nautical miles. URL: www.ttcus.com lion (Rs 34,885 crore). degrees east. •

Issue 3 • 2009 SP’S AVIATION 23 LASTWord a diversion for reasons unknown to the Air Traffic Con- trol. In a somewhat similar fatal crash in 2005, a PC-12 was suspected to have gone down when operating under severe icing conditions, kill- ing the five passengers on- Train board. The Narita crash may have been brought about by an erroneous decision not to divert but instead attempt a landing under highly adverse weather conditions of which the crew was aware. Well While investigating agen- Three mishaps in cies search for clues in the to REIN ERROR America, and yet wreckage and delve into evidence to establish the precise another in Tokyo, cause in each case, the four accidents in quick succession have drawn the have drawn the spotlight on or the US, jinxed appears to sadly be the spotlight ﬁrmly certain key issues. First is the apt prefix for 2009. Grappling with shrink- value of rigorous training of ing finances and swelling unemployment on the key issues cockpit crew. A vital element numbers, beleaguered Americans were fur- that need to of this process is the develop- Fther rattled by the astonishing frequency with which ment of balanced judgement airplanes came crashing down even before the year be addressed and the capability to take the had gathered momentum. Three flights—two script- when training right decisions, especially un- ing disasters and one miraculously saved—crashed der stress and in crisis situa- in as many months. While 155 on board the US Air- cockpit crew— tions—attributes clearly man- ways Airbus A320 that ditched in the Hudson River the ultimate ifested in the Hudson episode on January 15 were lucky to survive, barely a month but sadly lacking in the other later, 50 were killed when a Dash-8 Q400 Continen- guardians of civil three. Second is the need for tal Flight 3407 careened headlong into a house while oversight by regulatory bod- approaching to land at Buffalo-Niagara airport. More aviation safety ies of the conduct of civil avia- recently, on March 22, the Pilatus PC-12 disaster in tion activities, and third is the Montana claimed 14 lives. Beyond its borders, an- critical role of the supervisory other major accident featured an American aircraft. Attempt- staff and the quality of in-house monitoring and supervision. ing to land amid gale force winds and severe gusty conditions Not long ago, the Federal Aviation Administration had in Tokyo’s Narita International Airport, an MD-11F owned by cracked the whip at a number of airlines in the US that had FedEx bounced and turned turtle, bursting into flames. The been found violating the laid down maintenance procedures. sole occupants onboard—the captain with over 12,000 hours Given the fact that there are over 10,000 airliners and 300,000 and the co-pilot with 6,300 hours in their log books—perished General Aviation aircraft operating in the US, it is not beyond in the inferno that engulfed the wreckage. the realm of possibility that there could be similar violations In all the four cases, the primary cause appears to be ex- or recourse to short cuts which could go undetected by the ternal to the aircraft. In the Hudson episode, it was a case of short-staffed and overworked regulatory agency. both the engines simultaneously ingesting large birds, lead- Although miniscule in comparison to the US, the civil avia- ing to total loss of thrust. In a remarkable demonstration of tion sector in India has expanded at a phenomenal pace in the capability as Commander of an airliner, excellent professional last five years. Civil aviation standards could easily be prone skills and sound training, the pilot managed to save lives and to dilution in the wake of such rapid expansion and, hence, it’s avert a tragedy. The two other accidents inside the US appear imperative for regulatory authorities in India to remain alert to have been caused by icing conditions. and arrest degeneration and degradation of quality standards. The fatalities, however, seem to have been brought about But while regulatory authorities bear ultimate responsibility by human error or poor judgement. Crew of Q400 continued for air safety, the real custodians of quality in civil aviation are to use autopilot in severe icing conditions against the more the operating crew and the supervisory staff integral to the avi- prudent option of taking over controls and flying manually. ation organisations such as airlines, non-scheduled operators, In the case of the PC-12, the single engine aircraft which en- flying training establishments, flying clubs or private owners. countered icing conditions was also reported to be overload- They must be trained well as it is on their shoulders that the ed—14 were onboard, whereas the aircraft was designed to final responsibility for civil aviation safety must rest. SP

ILLUSTRATION: MAMTA ILLUSTRATION: carry only 11, including crew. The pilot had also resorted to — Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey

24 SP’S AVIATION Issue 3 • 2009 www.spsaviation.net 451964-2009 SP GUIDE PUBLICATIONS WIDENING HORIZONS...

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