Published: 6/19/1998

19th June 1998 - Issue 59 The recent Berlin Air Show was a much quieter event than it used to be in the past. The number of organisations present at Shonefield dropped dramatically, reflecting the bad state of the aviation sector in the whole region. Russian aviation companies had a significant presence, however no light aviation was represented at the show and only four (Il-74, Il-76, MiG-29 and Su-35) Russian aicraft joined the static and flying display. MiG-MAPO made its debut with the MiG-29SMT. This model is on offer to all current MiG operators, both domestic and foreign. All models (Fulcrum A and C) are being considered for upgrade. Later this year the project for modernising 180 units for the Russian Air Force is to be initiated. Central European operators: Poland, Hungary and Romania are targets, in partnership with the German manufacturer DASA. The MiG-29SMT has an increased internal fuel capacity, an air-to-air refuelling capability and increased weaponry. The war-load has doubled to four tonnes, with modern missiles and smart bombs being carried. This includes the R-77, K-30, K-37 and Kh-25, and may also include the new version of the Vympel R-77 active radar guide medium range air-to-air missile, which is expected to make its export debut later this year. Basically two versions of the MiG-29SMT are being offered, based on Eastern and Western avionics, respectively. The Western package has Sextant Avionique elements, including the autonomous navigation system, control data download system, as well GPS. Two large flat screens have replaced most of the traditional analogue gauges.It is also possible that the version will have the Klimov RD-43 thrust-vectored development of the currently-used RD-33s. Klimov has strong hopes for this new model. CIS civil aircraft manufacturers are anticipating a share in the Airbus A3XX high-capacity airliner. Tupolev seems to be particularly interested and is hoping for both the development and production work to be located in Russia. The Russian manufacturer confirmed progress has been made with its Tu-204/214 and Tu-334 projects, but gave no specific details - especially about the delayed Tu-334 - on what it is expecting regarding international involvement. Strongly represented in Berlin were Russian space organisations, which are trying to join Western-based international programmes as internal political problems are forcing them to look for work outside the country. However, those efforts are still not totally free from politics. Preparations are being made for the first Slovak cosmonaut, and this is seen as an opportunity to improve relations between Moscow and Bratislava. Russian officials have expressed the view that the cost of this will be reduced due to the desire to improve friendship and maintain good political relations. A very interesting concept came from INALET & Co. from Moscow. The company exhibited two models of its 'In' passenger aircraft. The smaller one, the In-8 can carry eight occupants and is already under development. More advanced projects are the In-32 and In-60, capable of carrying 32 and up to 68 persons. The latter should be available in the year 2001. The innovative concept lies in the aircraft's ability to take-off and land vertically. A large central body fan is installed to allow the aircraft to operate vertically, with a supporting role during horizontal flight. Three small propellers are used to boost the craft horizontally. The whole design employs the lifting body concept and its wings are of a small area, thus ensuring effective control of the aircraft. Unfortunately the concept received limited interest from visitors. Other CIS states Ukraine was also represented at ILA'98 with its An-70, which was making its international debut, but its presence was overshadowed by a strong and definitive "no", which was received from the Airbus Military company, to a proposal expressed by the German Government to accommodate the An-70 as a base structure for the troubled FLA transport aircraft. Airbus is officially not interested in establishing collaboration with Antonov, and wants to create its own design. A day after this announcement, Antonov told the press that it is still interested in collaborating. This is happening despite support received for the FLA concept from the German Government in Bonn. The US giants Boeing and Lockheed Martin are also interested in the unique Ukrainian concept. The better news for the Kiev factory comes in the form of a proposal from Air Foyle to restore two giant An-225s, and to build a third one. The project creates strong hopes as it may bring considerable work and cash to troubled Antonov. The market is showing signs of expanding for cargo carriers of this size. The first plane might be seen in the air as early as next year. A totally new exhibitor came from the Republic of Uzbekistan in the form of the local maintenance organisation, Uzbec-Maintenance. Poland and the Czech Republic were also represented, but also in much reduced form from previous years. Only one representative from these nations were present with Romania. Hungary and Slovakia being totally absent. There were no Moldovan or Yugoslav companies, nor were there Baltic republics present. All of these absences made this year considerably less impressive for visitors and will have a significant impact in the development of East West relations, which is one of the key goals for the whole event. ATM presents new software and hardware at ILA Polish aviation hardware and software manufacturing organisation ATM of Warsaw exhibited a line of new products at ILA. The event was an opportunity for the presentation of the Windows-compatible version the of FDS monitoring system. It can be used on computers managed by Windows 95 or Windows NT. The DOS-compatible version is still available and constantly being upgraded, however it is recognised that due to the popularity of Microsoft's system, an increasing number of customers will prefer the new version.During the ILA, the sale of the DOS FDS version to Taiwanese operator Enviair was announced. Enviair is the second largest operator on the island, after EVA Airlines. Two new hardware items were also exhibited. One of them is the upgrade package for the BUR-1 Russian flight data recorder, used on L-410, Mi-8/17, PZL W-3, Skytruck etc. This simple unit allows easy installation of a modern solid state western flight data recorder, instead of the Russian one. The whole installation takes some five minutes. Up to now two such installations have been completed with use of AlliedSignal recorders as part of the system. The second one is much more complicated. The DEDAL is an on-board digital data acquisition unit and data entry panel, which is a direct digital successor to BUR. This will be offered for manufacturers in Poland, former Eastern bloc and world-wide to those preferring the system. It has already passed a series of tests on board the Sokol helicopter and now focuses on approval from the Polish authorities. ATM has ambitions to build up its own HUMS with this system. (SP698.1) (MM)

Article ID: 204