Tue, Jul 20, 2010
Will Allow Test Pilot Trainees To Maximize Aircraft's
Capabilities
The National Research Council Canada Institute for Aerospace
Research has contracted with Calgary-based Eagle Copters Ltd. to
replace the engines in their Bell 412 HP Advanced Systems Research
Aircraft (ASRA) with a Pratt and Whitney PT6T-9 Twin-Pac. The
replacement engines have digital engine control instead of a manual
engine governor, permitting more carefree operation of the aircraft
near engine and torque limits.
NRC Bell 412
For NRC pilots and researchers involved in control law design,
the new engines will allow the aircraft to fly more predictably. In
addition, the re-engining will allow NRC pilots to take full
advantage of the aircraft's fly-by-wire capabilities during
research and training activities. Specially configured with
on-board research equipment for the development and testing of
advanced flight systems and various modern cockpit technologies,
NRC's 412 is an integral part of their "finishing school" for
helicopter test pilots, a two-week training session on advanced
handling qualities for students at training organizations in the
U.K., the U.S., France and Canada.
Eagle Copters Ltd. is installing the engines at its Calgary
hangar. Once the job is complete, Eagle will hold a Supplemental
Type Certificate (STC) from Transport Canada, Canada's regulatory
body for aviation, which will allow the company to do similar work
for other clients in the future and expand the technology for
additional foreign validations. NRC's Chief Test Pilot, Rob Erdos,
who is a Design Approval Representative (DAR) for Transport Canada,
will flight test and complete the necessary certifications for the
modified aircraft.
NRC Bell 412
"This project is an excellent example of how NRC Aerospace
supports small and medium-size Canadian aerospace companies," said
Stewart Baillie, director of the NRC Aerospace Flight Research
Laboratory. "NRC Aerospace gets new engines installed in its Bell
412 from a well-respected Canadian supplier, while Eagle Copters
Ltd. acquires a new service they can offer to Bell 412 operators
around the globe."
More News
Airplane Bounced About 3 Ft Then Touched Back Down And Then, With No Brakes Applied, The Airplane Began Veering To The Left Analysis: The pilot entered the airport traffic pattern >[...]
Aero Linx: British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) The primary focus within all aviation activity is SAFETY. In all aspects of our sport SAFETY must come first, whether it b>[...]
From SnF25 (YouTube Edition): William Wynne Builds Practical Aircraft Engines on the Corvair Platform Seeking an affordable alternative to the traditional aircraft engine options, >[...]
How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]
From 2023 (YouTube Edition): Bridge of CiES CiES Inc. is a Bend, Oregon-based designer and manufacturer of modular embedded aircraft systems and sensors. The company’s fuel-l>[...]