Rotorhead failure blamed for Apache crash
ACCIDENT An Israeli air force investigation into the fatal crash of a Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter during last year's war with Lebanon has attributed the accident to a fault with the aircraft's main rotorhead. The investigation found that the rotorhead cracked and disintegrated during the 24 July flight, causing the Apache's main rotor to separate. It also reveals that the aircraft's pilots - both of whom died in the accident - had not indicated any mechanical problem before the crash. Boeing declines to comment on the findings until it has received a copy of the accident report.
Next Generation PC-12 in cold weather trial
TESTING Pilatus Aircraft's Next Generation PC-12 single-engine turboprop prototype has completed cold weather trials in Iqaluit, Canada en route from the airframer's Stans, Switzerland base to its North American headquarters in Broomfield, Colorado. "During the trials, the new systems performed exceptionally well and without any problems," says Ulli Gehling, Pilatus director programme management. "The new avionics and the displays in particular exceeded all our expectations while experiencing extreme temperatures of -10e_SDgrF [-23°C] and less." Set for certification at the end of 2007, the Next Generation PC-12 features a Honeywell Primus Apex avionics system, a new cockpit designed by BMW Group DesignworksUSA, and a more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67P engine.
CAE secures first 787 simulator deals
TRAINING CAE has sold its first full-flight simulators for the Boeing 787 - two to Australia's Qantas and one to Shanghai Eastern Flight Training in China. As proposed, the Qantas simulators will have CAE's Tropos-6000 visual system and electric motion base. The simulators will be delivered to both customers in 2008. Previous 787 simulator orders, including those from Boeing's Alteon training subsidiary, have been placed with Thales.
Israeli air force fields Heron UAV
DELIVERY The Israeli air force has introduced its Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)-developed Heron medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air vehicle into frontline service. The aircraft has an operating ceiling of 30,000ft (9,150m) and an average endurance of 30h, but during a recent test flight remained airborne for 52h carrying an optical payload. An air force source says that IAI-owned Herons produced "very impressive results" during last year's conflict with Hezbollah guerillas in Lebanon, but posed an operational challenge by needing to have three crews available to perform long-endurance sorties.
Airline Business networks Latin America
PLANNING The inaugural Network Latin America route planning event will take place in December in Monterrey, Mexico. Organised by Flight International sister publication Airline Business, Network has been held since 2001 and has become the leading route-planning event in North America. "Our discussions with airlines and airports over the past year have highlighted the interest in the dynamic Latin airport transport market, the need to foster an effective airline-airport marketing relationship in the region and, critically, the need for this to take place locally,'' says Airline Business editor Mark Pilling.
Asian Aerospace boosted by China support
BACKING The Asian Aerospace show has received significant new backing from public and private sector enterprises in China. COSTIND, the government arm responsible for directing China's technology development in aerospace, has agreed to promote jointly what looks set to be the single largest dedicated civil aerospace industry event in the world. The Flight group is a partner in the show, which is to be held at its new venue in AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong from 3-6 September.
Source: Flight International
