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Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 6/97 AERO '97 SALON SETS NEW RECORDS by Wolfdietrich Hoeveler This year's AERO in Friedrichshafen was a major success. The organizers reported 435 exhibitors, a plus of 20 percent, about half of them from 23 different countries, and 80000 square meters exhibition area, making the AERO '97 the largest yet. 60000 visitors make up an increase of 30 percent as compared to 1995's exhibition. The exhibition scale has changed. The trade show now focuses more on aircraft, while the number of exhibitors in the hang-glider, balloon, and helicopter businesses is decreasing. The bulk of the exhibitors was related to avionics, equipment, service, maintenance and engines. The German as well as the international exhibitors felt good about being in Friedrichshafen ("fair prices"). Cessna was represented with an exhibition booth for the first time. Phil Michell, Cessna marketing head, says that the manufacturer is pleased with being at this fair. He continues, saying that the manufacturer will probably not go to the ILA in Berlin in 1997. Still, he thinks that Germany is an important market for Cessna, expecting aircraft sales worth $30 million in 1997. According to him, the 172 is a winner, approximately 30 aircraft were already sold to customers in Germany. However, several German production ultralight and motor aircraft can match up to this "oldtimer". All of them were in Friedrichshafen, first of all Walter Extra and his Extra 400. He had received the type certification for the new six-seater just a couple days before the show. Extra is more than satisfied with the progress of the work and the interest in his aircraft. Five 400s were sold as preproduction aircraft to experienced pilots, the production itself is supposed to begin next year. Extra commended on the excellent support of the economics ministry of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Walter Extra's 400 was not the only novelty at Friedrichshafen. The Austrian manufacturer Diamond Aircraft unveiled its new four-seat DA 40, the first 50 orders are being sold beginning at around DM199000. The new all-composite aircraft is based on the successful DA 20 two-seater. Lots of news from the ultralight market that is estimated to have a potential of 200 aircraft per year just in Germany. Germany's market leader is Comco Ikarus which has been offering its new C 42 since the beginning of the year. More than 100 orders for the DM78250 two-seater are in the manufacturer's order books. Since there is considerable interest for this ultralight in the USA, Ikarus plans to realize a production in the US with Flightstar as a partner. The Munich based Junkers Flugzeugbau presented the Ultima which is currently undergoing a flight test phase. The first aircraft will supposedly be delivered to a customer soon. Other novelties include the EV-97 Eurostar which is built at Aerotechnik in Czechia and marketed through Ikarusflug in Germany. A tremendous amount of news came from the engine market. The visitors' interest in Bombardier Rotax focused on the 914 F (100 hp) which will be one of the engine options for the new DA 40. The engine is FAA and JAA certified. The 914 joins advantages such as the use of unleaded automotive fuel, a simple mounting, and a monitor system for the automatic turbocharger control. The Wankel Rotary GmbH is one of the few engine developers in Germany. The company has been on the market since 1993. The advantages of rotary engines include a low vibration level and good power to weight ratio, along with its small size and small frontal area. Wankel Rotary offers engines from 8 to 55 kW for drones, ultralights and motor aircraft which can use automotive fuel and kerosene. Company head Jürgen G. Bax does not feel strong about diesel engines, saying that diesel fuel tends to flock at low temperatures, such impairing flight safety. While Wankel Rotary is already offering a kerosene engine for drones, the manufacturer is missing the funds to develop a civil version. Wankel also presented its LCR-814 TGti at Friedrichshafen. The 100 hp engine features an electronic suction pipe injection. Certification of the engine is expected for May of this year. The Sauer Flugmotoren GmbH brought its new 100-hp SM 2700 for ultralights and heavy motor gliders directly from the test bench to the show. Almost all of the Sauer engines can use unleaded automotive fuel and automotive spark plugs. Limbach presented its L2400, an engine in the 100 hp class that was installed in a Taifun motor glider. The engine was certified on February 17 of this year. The Zeppelin New Technology was the largest exhibit in Friedrichshafen and was presented to the public for the first time. The prototype is supposed to pick up flight tests in the summer of this year. Max Mugler, managing director of the Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH, presented the first four customers who have ordered a total of five Zeppelins with deliveries in 1998 and 1999. All four customers are planning to use the Zeppelin mainly in the touristic and advertisement business. Further airships can be delivered beginning in the year 2000. A new production hall is supposed to provide the means for assembling three airships per year. The Zeppelin New Technology supposedly costs DM 12,5 million, including mast vehicle, training and a spare parts package. From page 26 of FLUG REVUE 6/97 Home | Update | Latest Issue | Gallery | FR Profile | Datafiles | FR 6/97 Copyright 1997 by Motor-Presse Stuttgart. All rights reserved. Last updated May 7, 1997