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Dunlop seals a deal

Dunlop Aviation is providing seals for the Bombardier Continental business jet.

Dunlop Precision Rubber is to supply aerospace seals for Bombardier's new Continental business jet. Dunlop is manufacturing fire-retardant fabric-reinforced silicone seals for the nacelles of the aircraft's twin Honeywell AS907 high bypass ratio turbofan engines. The engines will produce 6500 lb thrust, provide the aircraft with performance parameters that include a range of 3100 nmi, and will have a cruising speed of Mach 0.82. The aircraft will be able to operate at full capability from 5000-ft runways.

The company is also to manufacture elastromeric seals for the Continental's baggage door. These are to be supplied to the Aerospace Industry Development Corporation (AIDC) of Taiwan, where the rear fuselage and empennage sections of the aircraft are being constructed. The first flight of the Continental is slated for the middle of this year, with type certification and customer deliveries next year. Bombardier has at least 100 orders for the eight passenger aircraft.

- Stuart Birch

Fuel additive first for KLM's Boeings

The Dutch airline KLM is the first commercial operator to trial a jet fuel add-itive originally developed and manufactured by BetzDearborn for the USAF that is aimed at providing environmental and economic benefits. Shell Aviation is also involved with the flight trial, which is described as "the first of its kind."

The additive is being used by two B747-400s powered by GE CF6-80 engines. Shell Aviation and KLM Refueling Services have arranged injection of the additive into the fuel supplied to the aircraft at Amsterdam Schipol and at several airports in Asia. Shell said the high-temperature dispersant/detergent chemistry performs a similar function to that which has long been featured in automotive gasoline and diesel fuel additives and that the companies involved expect the trial to demonstrate similar performance benefits in aviation gas turbine engines. The company also said that the patented liquid additive is designed "to keep fuel and injector systems clean, reducing exhaust emissions, improving fuel efficiency, and lowering maintenance costs."

The additive being used by the KLM aircraft was designed by BetzDearborn (a division of Hercules Inc.) as part of a USAF research and development program to develop a fuel with enhanced thermal stability, which is said to "significantly" reduce tendencies to degrade and form deposits, lacquers, and coke in the hot areas of the engine fuel system. By keeping fuel spray nozzles clean and preventing coking, more efficient combustion is promoted with resultant reduction in coke deposit and thermal stress in the combustor, turbine, and afterburner (in military air-craft) areas.

An extensive approval process preceded the use of the additive in commercial aircraft, stressed the three companies, and the trial is scheduled to last for about a year. Craig Rogerson, Vice President and General Manager of BetzDearborn, commented, "We know that commercial aviation is going to be following this trial very closely because of the industry's need to hold down operating and maintenance costs while improving aircraft performance."

KLM will monitor the performance of the aircraft involved in the trial and conduct periodic borescope inspections. Shell said the additive has accumulated over two million military flight hours.

- Stuart Birch

Eaton receives F-16 canopy actuator contract

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Eaton Corp. a $5.7 million contract for a canopy actuator replacement package to be used on about 400 F-16A and F-16C aircraft. This deal is a follow-on to a previous contract that affected 240 aircraft.

Designed to meet new and more demanding performance specifications from Lockheed Martin, the Eaton canopy actuator package provides several advanced design features. Some of these features include total interchangeability, higher torque performance ratings, improved low-voltage operation, electronic torque limiting, environmentally sealed switches, and a mechanical rigging linkage to eliminate field limit switch adjustments. The new design provides improved operating safety, easier rigging, higher operating reliability, and simplified repair, overhaul, and logistics.

Eaton's aerospace business involves hydraulic, electrohydraulic pump, and generator products and integrated systems; electric motors; aircraft flap and slat systems; nose wheel steering systems; integrated control systems; cockpit controls; power and load management systems; pressure sensors; and fluid debris monitoring products and systems.

- Frank Bokulich

CF34-8 growth version begins testing

GE Aircraft Engines has begun ground testing of its growth version of the CF34-8 engine. According to the company, the engine will serve as an exclusive powerplant for a great number of new-generation regional jets. The growth version also represents the first underwing configuration for the CF34 propulsion system.

The CF34-8 growth engine is rated in the 14,500-lb thrust class, representing a 5% increase over the thrust of the CF34-8C1. The engine family includes the CF34-8C5, which will power the Bombardier's 90-passenger Canadair CRJ900; the CF34-8D, selected to power Fairchild Dornier's 70-passenger 728JET, 55-passenger 528JET, and Envoy 7 corporate jet; and the CF34-8E, which will power the new 70-passenger ERJ-170 produced by Embraer. The Fairchild Dornier and Embraer aircraft are the first underwing applications of the CF34.

Approximately 3600 h of engine testing is planned by GE Aircraft Engines, including engine flight testing onboard the company's 747 flying testbed. FAA certification of the CF34-8 growth engine family is targeted for mid-2002.

Bombardier plans to initiate CRJ900 flight testing sometime this year, with entry into service with Brit Air targeted for 2002. Flight testing for the Fairchild Dornier 728JET is targeted for the first quarter of 2002, with entry into service with launch customer Lufthansa CityLine GmbH planned for 2003. Embraer will begin ERJ-1709 flight testing during the fourth quarter of this year, followed by entry into service with Crossair during the fourth quarter of 2002.

- Frank Bokulich

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