F R 2 - 9 7

Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 2/97 FLA FUNDING STILL IN THE BALANCE by Karl Schwarz Although the financing for the development of the new European military transport aircraft is still uncertain, the industry is continuing the preparatory work on low burner. At the summit in the beginning of December, Germany and France agreed that the new transport aircraft is very important. As of now, Germany's Luftwaffe is supposed to get up to 75 aircraft and the French Armée de l'Air is to get 52 units - in a single phase commercial approach, which is common for airliners. However, it is still open if this procedure is to conform to budgetary regulations and if satisfying guarantees for bank credits to finance the development can be granted. Not surprising but nevertheless not very promising news for the companies which are participating in FTA (Future Transport Aircraft). Still, the groundwork for the aircraft is being continued. The participating companies have bundled their activities under the roof of the, still unofficial, Airbus Military Company in Toulouse. According to Aérospatiale, the partners just recently conducted wind tunnel tests in Great Britain, Germany, and France at their own expenses. Aérospatiale has also begun with the exact definition of the cockpit. A mock-up was set up in Toulouse while a simulator was accordingly modified at the test center in Istres. Ten Transall crews were given the opportunity to fly tactical missions and make suggestions for improvements. The aircraft's user friendliness was mentioned as positive - the concept is based on the newest Airbus airliners. However, two additions were made to the usual lay-out of sidesticks and large colour displays. First, each pilot has a head-up display serving as the primary display in many phases of flight and, second, a so called interface unit was introduced. The latter is similar to a laptop computer and is located right in front of the pilot. It allows several adjustments, such as changes of the route or data reception. The current work concentrates on the optimization of the symbology used on the colour displays. Together with modes used commonly in civil aviation several tactical functions must be integrated also. Along with radar warning displays the screens are to be utilized as TV displays for cameras in the freight bay or in the rear fuselage. Along with the cockpit definition, the selection of the engines, scheduled for 1997, is also prepared. Talks are under way with Snecma/MTU (M138), BMW Rolls-Royce (BR715 version) and AlliedSignal (TFE1042 as basis). Furthermore, details concerning the work share are being clarified. Airbus hopes to get the request for proposal sometime in the first months of 1997 in order to continue the preparatory work on a contract basis for a possible program launch in mid 1998. The preliminary plans show the first flight tentatively scheduled for the end of 2002 with first deliveries beginning in 2004. Until then, the program could be financed through bank credits, according to the industry's point of view. Aérospatiale supposedly has contacts to an interested firm which would supply the FF seven billion necessary to cover the French share. Still, the problem is that absolutely waterproof guarantees are needed from the government. This however, can not be accomplished by the government due to the current legal situation. New legal constructions are needed that satisfy the requirements of the budgetary commission. The situation in Germany is similar. The favored commercial approach can not be done in accordance to the current budgetary law. To change this for the benefit of the FTA could delay the program for an undetermined period of time. From page 53 of FLUG REVUE 2/97 Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 2/97 Copyright 1997 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved. Last updated January 10, 1997