PAUL DUFFY / MOSCOW
Despite ICAO ruling, Brussels plans to put an end to Russia flying noisy aircraft
Russia and the other nations of the CIS are to be denied automatic clearance to continue operating noisy aircraft into Europe despite an International Civil Aviation Organisation recommendation to the contrary.
The recommendation allowing airlines from less-developed countries to continue operating Chapter 2 aircraft for the next seven years was made at ICAO's recent thirty third assembly - but according to Eckard Seebohm, head of the European Commission's airport policy and environment unit, legislation would be required to allow any continuation of the operation of Chapter 2 aircraft after next April.
"We will be meeting a delegation from Russia early in November to discuss their problems, but it is very late to address them, and we are also very conscious of the efforts European operators, and those from other countries, have made to ensure compliance. We are aware of the particular difficulties of the CIS, but at this late time, we cannot be very open to change," he says.
NPO Saturn, which makes the D-30K engine powering the 700 Ilyushin ll-62M, Il-76 and Tupolev Tu-154Ms in service, has outlined programmes under way to allow these aircraft to meet Chapter 3. The D-30K-2 engine on the Il-62 and Tu-154M can be equipped with Chapter 3-compliant ZPK hushkits, says Saturn, for around $100,000 per aircraft.
A new low-emission "MKS" combustion chamber can also be installed to meet the stricter emission standards that are due to come into force in 2004.
Saturn is undertaking a $3.5 million programme to bring the D-30KU which powers the Tu-154M in line with proposed Chapter 4 standards, and should be completed by 2005.
The D-30KP, which powers the Il-76 will be difficult to hushkit to Chapter 3 requirements and Saturn has decided to undertake a $20 million project to "heavily revise" the engine by 2005.
It will meet Chapter 4 noise and emissions standards, and should reduce fuel burn by 5-7%. The new engine will cost $1.2 million, while an existing engine converted to the new standard during overhaul will cost $700,000.
Source: Flight International
