Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology

doi: 10.1108/eb035197pmid: N/A

Following the success of the novel facility for the testing of aircraft tyre, wheel and brake units — the most advanced of its kind in the world — installed at the Birmingham factory of Dunlop Ltd in 1973, an order has been received for a similar equipment for use in a USSR research establishment in Moscow. Vickers Ltd will again be responsible for the design, installation and commissioning of the complete test facility, an important feature of which is a powerful and sophisticated electrical drive system designed and supplied by GEC Electrical Projects Ltd. This drive system incorporates a method of inertia simulation for which extensive patent protection has been granted in the UK and a broad, and which is now being considered for other applications.

Garbett, G.H.

doi: 10.1108/eb035198pmid: N/A

ANYONE ENGAGED in aircraft engineering who has visited the Air Canada maintenance base at Montreal to observe the layout, equipment and operating system will have bound to come away greatly impressed with the facilities and efficiency of the plant. In the writer's opinion it is one of the most advanced airline maintenance bases in the world.

Ford, T.E.

doi: 10.1108/eb035199pmid: N/A

THE first TriStar for British Airways was handed over to the European Division in October and is being followed by two more in a matter of weeks. The second and third aircraft will have been used for the training of flight crews prior to delivery to the airline. Three more TriStars are scheduled before the start of the 1975 summer services next April and the remainder of the initial order for nine will be completed in 1976. A further nine aircraft are on option with six of these about to be converted to firm orders.

doi: 10.1108/eb035200pmid: N/A

NEW MINIATURE closed‐circuit television camera equipment introduced by Ernest Ireland, (Electronics) Ltd of Bath, England, is designed to reduce aircraft engine inspection time and maintenance costs.

Clark, K.W.

doi: 10.1108/eb035201pmid: N/A

RISING FUEL, service and maintenance prices have highlighted the need for strict cost monitoring of basic flying training, both in the military and commercial spheres. This requirement has become particularly acute in the multi‐engined aircraft primary training context. The use of conventional twin‐engined aircraft for this purpose is expensive, both in terms of first cost and in operation. Moreover, the simulation of the “engine out” condition can, on occasions, prove hazardous.

Waud, A.G.

doi: 10.1108/eb035202pmid: N/A

AIRCRAFT CLEANING was originally a function carried out by the catering or engineering departments of airlines, but following the pattern of commercial and industrial cleaning, the trend in recent years has been to move away from direct labour and to employ a specialist contractor. Cleaning in almost every field has become a sophisticated business, employing the use of specialised chemicals, materials and equipment, with the added need to thoroughly train and supervise staff, to keep pace with the growth in technology and the public demand for cleanliness. There are of course other advantages of employing a specialist contractor, not the least being the question of cost saving. In a labour intensive industry it is essential to achieve maximum labour utilisation. Aircraft Cleaning Services Ltd have gone a long way towards this end and rationalised their airfield operations by offering a comprehensive service to all airlines or handling agents.

doi: 10.1108/eb035203pmid: N/A

SABENA will shortly be bringing into operation a new test bench at Brussels‐National Airport. This is for testing the Pratt and Whitney JT‐9D jet engines which power the Company's Boeing 747 aircraft, and the General Electric CF‐650 jets of the DC‐10 30CF. It will also be available for the jet engines which power the Boeing 707–320C and 727 currently in service, and those of the Boeing 737, which SABENA took delivery of in May this year.