World AirNews June 2018

HELICOPTERS
NEWS
GOLDEN
ANNIVERSARY OF
THE
FENESTRON
TAIL ROTOR
F
IFTY YEARS ago the first Fenestron took to the skies on the
second prototype of the Gazelle helicopter. It has since
become emblematic of Sud Aviation, Aerospatiale, Eurocopter
and now Airbus Helicopters with the H160 carrying this soundreducing,
safety-enhancing technology into the next generation of
rotorcraft.
The idea behind shrouding the tail rotor was initially developed
to provide additional safeguards for workers on the ground, but
also to protect the tail rotor in forward flight and in complicated
operational environments, such as working around high-voltage
power lines. Sound reduction benefits followed after much
research and optimisation from one generation of the Fenestron to
the next.
Originally called the “Fenestrou”, which is Provençal for “little
window”, the term evolved into the renowned Fenestron. It was
first certified on the Gazelle in 1972 and then integrated into the
first single-engine Dauphin prototype, whose first flight was in
June 1972. Trials were then conducted with a seven-tonne Puma in
1975.
However, with its diameter of 1, 60 metres and its 11 tail rotor
blades it required too much power for the Fenestron to bring an
operational advantage on this class of helicopters.
The second generation came at the end of the 1970’s with an
all-composite Fenestron, which increased the diameter of the new
Dauphin’s Fenestron by 20%. This improvement was motivated
by the U.S. Coast Guards’ requirement for a highly manoeuvrable
aircraft for Search and Rescue operations. The U.S. Coast Guards’
aircraft are still in service today and have accumulated more than
1, 5-million flight hours.
In the meantime, research continued to optimise the shape
of the Fenestron, blade foils, and to improve sound reduction,
especially during certain phases of flight. Between 1987 and 1991
it was successfully tested on an Ecureuil, the prototype of which is
still on display at the entrance to Airbus Helicopters’ headquarters
in Marignane.
In 1994, the third generation was fitted on to the H135 and
optimized sound levels by using an uneven setting of the blades.
In 1999 the H130 performed its maiden flight with a Fenestron
derived from this version. The H145 followed suit in 2010.
Numerous Fenestron-equipped Airbus helicopters operate
in Africa, in diverse roles and missions including anti-poaching,
emergency rescue and air ambulance, off-shore oil and gas
rig support, airborne law police, border patrol, infrastructure
inspection and maintenance (such as power lines), corporate and
private transport, as well as tourism charters.
Fifty years on, the H160 has the latest and largest Fenestron to
be built on an Airbus helicopter.
The fact that it is canted to 12° allows for improved performance
with an additional payload and increased stability especially at low
speed.
With the H160 out to conquer the medium twin market, the
Fenestron will be one of Airbus Helicopters’ signatures in the skies
for decades to come. Q
boMbaRdieR
unVeiLs
tHe
nu-age seat
B
OMBARDIER BUSINESS Aircraft has
unveiled the Nuage, its industryredefining
seat on the Global 7000 aircraft,
which it also claims to be the first new
seat architecture in business aviation in 30
years.
Within the fluid lines of its exceptionally
crafted exterior is a marvel of furniture
engineering, meticulously designed to
achieve optimal comfort in flight.
"In designing the Nuage seat, we
examined every conceivable passenger
need and comfort that might arise while
seated in flight and launched our process
from there," said Peter Likoray, Senior
Vice President, Sales and Marketing,
Bombardier Business Aircraft. "This
empathetic design philosophy inspired us
to craft a seat unlike any other - the most
innovative seat the industry has seen in
three decades. Offering an unprecedented
balance of comfort and control, Nuage is an
ergonomic and aesthetic masterpiece that
redefines the very notion of seated comfort
for life above the clouds."
Designed to maximize comfort and
NEWS
B
OMBARDIER HAS made
it easier for pilots to
undergo recurrent training
for its Challenger 605 and
Challenger 650 business jets
with an online remote training
available for the ground school
FAA-certified course.
The new programme delivers
the same comprehensive and
professional instruction that
Bombardier is known for, while
relaxation on long-haul flights, Nuage
introduces an all-new, ergonomicallyperfected
deep recline position -
unavailable on any other business aircraft.
Unlike other aircraft seats where only
the back reclines, pushing the body
forward and leading to discomfort, the
Nuage features a patented tilt link system
that dips the seat as the back is reclined,
keeping the body fully supported with no
added pressure on the legs. This dynamic
movement is the result of years of research
and development, and it serves to support
and cradle the body like no other aircraft
seat in the industry.
The Nuage seat also features a fluid
movement system and patented floating
base, which allows the seat to track
and swivel naturally and effortlessly
and without visible floor rails, further
enhancing its streamlined look.
The fluid movement system also includes
a centre swivel axis for an intuitively
centred point of rotation in any position,
allowing the passenger to swivel with ease
and remarkable precision.
For added comfort and support, the
Nuage seat is equipped with a tilting
Re-designed business
jet tRaining CouRses
reducing the length of on-site
training.
With more booking flexibility
and a wider range of simulator
time slots, pilots can now
complete the simulator
component of the course at
Bombardier's training centres in
Montreal and Dallas.
The updated ground school
component, comprising 15
hours of self-paced online
training, can be completed at
the pilot's own convenience.
Once pilots complete the
online component, they are
welcomed by an instructor at
the training centre to answer
any training questions they may
have, are provided the latest
operational requirements and
undergo a one-hour validation
examination.
Bombardier offers in-house
OEM-developed courseware
for flight and technical training,
allowing operators to have
the most up-to-date, insider
headrest - also unavailable on any other
seat in business aviation. Thoughtfully
engineered, this adjustable headrest
provides optimal neck support in every
position while helping to maintain an
effortless line of sight when watching TV or
reading in a reclined position.
Offered in a vast selection of leathers,
fabrics and finishes, the Nuage seat brings
the most desirable aesthetic and functional
features of luxury seating into the cabin.
The Global 7000 aircraft, the most
spacious and longest-range business jet
ever built, is on track to enter service
during the second half of 2018.
With a maximum operation range of
7,700 nautical miles, the Global 7000
aircraft can fly farther and connect more
city pairs than any other business jet. The
Global 7000 is the only business aircraft
that can connect New York and Hong
Kong, and Singapore to San Francisco.
On any flight, short or long, the Global
7000 aircraft's advanced wing optimizes
speed, range and control, and ensures an
exceptionally smooth ride. Q
knowledge and technology at
their fingertips.
Combined, Challenger 600
series aircraft are claimed to be
the best-selling business jets of
all time in the large segment.
The aircraft offer the ultimate
value proposition, combining a
stylish interior and wide-body
cabin comfort with worldwide
reach, unmatched dispatch
reliability and the lowest direct
operating costs in the
category. Q
World Airnews | June 2018
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World Airnews | June 2018
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