Icon A5 Amphibian Spin Testing

It looks as though tiny Icon may have scored a worldwide first with the A5.  So far testing seems to show that the plane can meet or beat FAA requirements for an LSA to be certified as spin resistant.  The article at the link below provides a great rundown of what they have done and how they managed to do it.  The key seems to be ensuring that the tips stall well after the center section.  What this does to drag isn't completely clear, but a good read nonetheless.

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/02/icon-aircraft-receives-first-ever-spin-resistant-seal-of-approval/

Mitsubishi MRJ-90 First Flight to be Delayed?

It's not clear from the information in the link exactly how much delay is anticipated, but there is a bit of gouge near the end of the article regarding how many planes will eventually be involved in the test program.  Historically, the track record of any major development project at the 15% completion point will tell you how they will fall on the schedule at completion: if they are behind schedule at 15%, they will STAY behind schedule.  Not a great start, although the company remains optimistic.

http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/singapore-air-show/2012-02-15/fresh-delay-mrj

China's CAIH AC313 Into Cold Weather Testing

The China Aviation Industrial Helicopter company is hoping to ramp this 60,000+ pound workhorse up to a pretty significant level of production, but right now they are finishing up development with cold-weather trials.

http://english.cri.cn/6909/2012/02/13/2724s680648.htm

(Photo credit: bbs.chinadaily.com.cn)



Northrop-Grumman BAC-111 Testing F-35 Sensors

If it is accurate, the article at the link below gives a pretty good update on the F-35 APG-81 radar as well as the AAQ-37 IR sensor suite.  They are being put through their paces as part of a Navy exercise on-board the BAC-111 systems test aircraft.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/northrop-grumman-participating-in-bold-alligator-maritime-exercise-with-f-35-sensors-2012-02-06?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Lockheed-Martin Pays for Early F-35 Production Ramp-up

Programs never go exactly as planned, so Monday-morning-quarterbacking is kind of pointless, but as a career DT guy, I've got to say that there is a reason that most programs are laid out with a large serving of developmental testing before production ramps up.  Hopefully most of the growing pains are behind them and the added costs of structural retrofits will be less than the money saved by early production.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/awx/2012/02/06/awx_02_06_2012_p0-421701.xml

GEnx PIP-2 Engine Flies on Company B-747

In the never-ending hunt for just a little bit more efficiency, GE continues to upgrade its flagship high-bypass line of engines.  Looks as though they hope to extract a little more energy from the core exhaust to send it to the fan by upgrading the low pressure turbines.  Given the typical commercial airline profit margins, even a 1.4% improvement in SFC is probably worth it.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ge-flies-second-upgrade-package-for-787-engine-367680/

IAI Heron TP Goes Down During Test

Details are scarce on the loss of this UAV.  It would seem that the plane was doing systems testing, which means that this crash could be even more expensive than you might think, since the on board surveillance systems are often half the cost of an operational UAV (or more).  Details should begin to filter out.  Keep in mind that this is NOT a small aircraft.  Ever flown on a B-737?  The Heron has the same wingspan.

http://www.jpost.com/VideoArticles/Video/Article.aspx?id=255572