Page 23 - AAA MAY - JUNE 2016 Online Magazine

FEATURE GAME CHANGERS

PC-24 ‘Super Versatile Jet performed and actual hard landings were
Swiss airframer Pilatus is a reputed made for drop tests to measure the impact
manufacturer of light aircraft and military on the main and nose gears. Numerous
trainers and has already experienced early aerodynamic tests have been carried out in
success with the brand new PC-24, which is the air, including tests to determine slow-
the first civilian business jet to be made in flight handling, centre of gravity and flutter
Switzerland. The PC-24 is sold out till 2019, testing, as well as high-altitude flights. P02
after 84 orders were received at EBACE 2014. will undergo various systems tests and
The privately held company has a careful certification flights mainly in the USA and
approach to aircraft development, it has in Canada, where special scrutiny will be
taken more than two decades for the Swiss accorded to the avionics systems and the
airframer to start work on a new civilian autopilot and also include cold weather
aircraft after the highly successful PC-12 trials and icing tests. P01 will fly mainly in
US$21 million, 50,000-square foot facility which first flew in 1991, following which in Europe. Pilatus has set an ambitious target
expansion on its Burlington, North Carolina excess of 1,350 PC-12s have been delivered of delivering the first PC-24s in the second
campus, that will be ready early next to customers. Development concepts of the half of 2017 and last year saw the launch of
year. Honda is the world’s largest engine PC-24 were launched in 2008. 2016 will be a series production operations for the PC-24.
manufacturer, producing approximately 24 critical year for the development of the new Plans are in progress for the new and larger
million engines of all types annually. The type as in-flight trials on the PC-24 prototypes assembly hall required in connection with
Burlington facility is Honda’s first aero- will be extremely challenging as also the this. Construction work should start in the
engine plant. HAI currently produces the need for millions of dollars of investments second half of 2016.
HF120 engine for GE Honda Aero Engines for completion of testing and certification
and is the official Maintenance Repair and and preparing for series production. The test
Overhaul facility for the HF120 engine. flight programme calls for approximately LEFT: The unique design of Honda
The HondaJet’s most unique feature is 2,300 flight hours to be completed. 2016 will Aircraft Company’s HA-420 HondaJet
its Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) also witness the first flight of the third PC-24 is highlighted in this image which
configuration and the natural laminar flow prototype P03, which will be fully equipped shows the Over-The-Wing Engine
Mount (OTWEM) configuration to
wings which increase flight speed and with a realistic cabin interior. good effect. The HondaJet is already
contribute to greater fuel efficiency. A larger The first PC-24 prototype, P01 attracting keen interest from users
volume of fuel can be carried in the wings completed its maiden flight on May 11, around the globe
as a result of the higher wing thickness 2015, this was followed by the first-flight of RIGHT: The Flight test programme
ratio. The superior fuselage strength of the second prototype P02, which flew on for the PC-24 is proceeding at a
the aircraft’s integrally moulded carbon November 16 last year. By the end of 2015, good pace and the third prototype
composite body also allows for a max P01 had completed 183 flight hours, while P03 will join flight testing this
operating altitude of 13,000m (43,000ft). In P02 had completed twelve flights clocking year. Developmental testing and
certification will be challenging tasks
its typical configuration the HA-420 can seat 21 hours. During the course of developmental for the Swiss airframer and its first
four passengers along with a crew of two. testing, stress tests for the wings were ever business jet
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