Aeroplane Monthly 1979-02
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News Spotlight
the Dassault Mirage 2000-01 and -02 prototypes meet during a sortie from the Company's Istres test centre. Initial production contracts for 127 single- and two-seat Mirage 2000s in “air defence” configuration are expected in 1979-80, and 200 aircraft will eventually be required.
The first Sea Harrier, XZ450 has successfully completed its first sea trials aboard HMS Hermes off the coast of Northern Scotland.
Sea Harrier flew directly from RNAS Yeovilton to the Moray Firth on November 13, 1978, and of the 90 sorties made during the next five days by five Harriers, ten involved XZ450. The aircraft is reportedly easier to fly than its RAF counterpart, owing to the increased reaction control power, improved cockpit layout and better view.
8 ноября 1978г.: впервые поднялся в воздух прототип самолета бизнес-класса Canadair CL-600 Challenger (C-GCGR-X), оснащенный двумя ТВД.
Following its first flight from Cartierville, Montreal, on November 8, 1978, Canadair's challenger has kept to its test schedule, eleven flights totalling some 14hr 30mins flying time having been made in the first fortnight, and Mach 0-65 and 30,000ft being reached. By now the aircraft is in Mojave, California, for continued test flying.
The prototype Mitsubishi MU-300 twin-turbofan business aircraft is seen during an early test flight from Komaki Airport, Nagoya. In the first month of testing following the maiden flight on August 29 last year, about 20hr were logged.. Final certification testing will be done in the USA after the completion of basic proving.
Bill Turner's reproduction of the Gee Bee model Z racer of 1931 is now complete, and has flown. Turner, of Belmont, California, spent over four years on the project and had considerable help from the two surviving Granville brothers.