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Kfir mishap averted
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Dinuk
Joined: Oct 2006
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 19 Feb 2007 08:30:14 GMT Report for Abuse
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Guys (& Gals),
Since we are talking about Indigenous solutions, I'm curious about what happened to that Jabiru (Small Cessna Based Aircraft) Program? Anybody aware about what happened?
cheers! |
snake2
Joined: Aug 2006
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 19 Feb 2007 09:22:58 GMT Report for Abuse
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Dinuk,
Thanks for bringing that plane up!!
The parent company is Australian.
According to their website:
http://www.jabiru.net.au/
There is no mention of a Sri Lankan branch
Seems like they are going pretty good (website updated Nov 2006) producing 150 airframes and 600 engines per year!!
Maybe they concluded that outsourcing to another country was not financially viable :((
Or maybe after the Bali bombing they got all patriotic and decided to keep it Australian!! |
Dinuk
Joined: Oct 2006
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19 Feb 2007 10:06:30 GMT Report for Abuse
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Snake2,
hmmm.. that's a bad news. at that time, they were all planned to start the production at Koggala free trade zone with Company set up with the Lion air Group. earlier it was planned to produce 15 airframes per month. as far as i know it's a Two seater plane with a piston engine..
cheers,
Edited By - Dinuk - 19 Feb 2007 16:23:15 GMT |
Saervek
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 102
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 19 Feb 2007 14:37:31 GMT Report for Abuse
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Dinuk & snake2
That's an interesting one guys. I hadn't heard of it before you guys mentioned that one... Isn't LionAir grounded or something? Maybe that put paid to the idea... Or it might have gone the same way as this;
http://www.dailymirror.lk/2003/02/25/ft/4.html
(Indo-Lanka collaboration to make bigger naval craft mooted)
Last I heard, CDL weren't making Frigates, let alone submarines. |
Dinuk
Joined: Oct 2006
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19 Feb 2007 16:36:24 GMT Report for Abuse
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Saervek,
Buddy, thanks for the CDL news link.
Even those days nobody knows about it that much. I herd about it from one of my friends at Asian Aviation Center at that time.
All i know is Air Force Building UAVS for their needs. And Newly proposed harbor (Hambanthota) will include a Dockyard Just Like CDL..That's The Latest In R&D :)) But I'm not sure 100%..
Cheers!
Edited By - Dinuk - 19 Feb 2007 16:59:14 GMT |
SenaM
Senior Member
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 19 Feb 2007 18:21:25 GMT Report for Abuse
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Re- the 'Jabiru' Project ..
I believe the 'ground-work' for this project was prepared by an ex- air force officer (who was probably influenced by simlar work 'pioneered' by the air force, earlier). However, he may have lacked an 'in-depth' understanding of the technical problems involved (he was not an SLAF Tech/Eng officer).
In any case without demand for that type of aircraft (basic trainer), from the civil sector, it would have been difficult to get it 'off the ground' .. unless of course, the idea was to make the 'Jabiru' for the Australian, and other markets in the South Asian region.
Last I've heard is that the person who 'came up' with the project is 'out' of the country .. probably in Australia.
Edited By - SenaM - 19 Feb 2007 18:22:43 GMT |
Dinuk
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 272
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23 Feb 2007 14:37:09 GMT Report for Abuse
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Hey,
Guys I found something useful. :)) hope you all like it!
http://defencenet.blogspot.com/ |
Eksath
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 468
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24 Feb 2007 06:58:02 GMT Report for Abuse
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The SLAF has done quite well in keeping the fleet flying despite the sudden operational increase in flight hours. SL ingenuity has kept some complex systems operational but the learning curve is pretty steep due the usual constrainsts such as limited resources and sudden escalations on the battlefield.
Providing info. on the engineering history of the SLAF and the local capability to 'keep them flying'.
The following is a detailed description of the SLAFs construction of the experimental Pazmany PL2. (SOURCE = SLAF).
I have personally inspected this aircraft and it is very nice craftmanship even though this was done almost 20 years ago.
'The Sri Lanka Air Force embarked on a project that was to earn them many accolades. Perhaps begun under the commandship of AVM Paddy Mendis, in terms of preliminary discussions, the Pazmany PL2 aircraft construction project began in 1979, around the time of a restructure in the Technical Maintenance Depot (TMD). A decision was made to decentralize the TMD and as a result the Aircraft Engineering Wing, the General Engineering Wing and the Motor Transport Repair and Overhaul Wing were formed. With effect from 1st January 1979 Squadron Leader Jim Gunaratnam took command of the Aircraft Engineering Wing.
The Pazmany PL2 project made history in the SLAF. Squadron Leader Jim Gunaratnam and his team from AEW took charge of the project. The Pazmany was an aircraft designed by Laszlo Pazmany, a very successful aircraft engineer of Argentinian birth, but residing in the USA When the SLAF decided to build the Pazmany as an experimental exercise.
They found the insurgency had done them a favour, for there seemed to be plenty of 20 and 22 gauge material around, suitable for aircraft construction purposes. The Pazmany PL2 began to take shape; the complete frame was turned out at Katunayake. The engine specified in the specs was actually the 0-135 Lycoming. However, the Continental 0-200 engine was chosen - the same unit that powered the Cessna 150.
The Pazmany PL2 was built and ceremonially test flown at a passing out parade at China Bay in the distinguished presence of H.E. The President the late Mr J.R. Jayewardene. The Pazmany project gave rise to plenty of valuable research and expertise. Fabrication processes of fibre glass cowlings, panels, ducts, interior furnishings, fabrication of aircraft control cables and proof testing them, use of wax moulds for sheet metal processing - manufacture of precision aircraft components such as under carriage cylinders, axle mounts, main spars, longerons, etc, were all accomplished at the time.
The Pazmany and indeed the Riley Heron Conversion programmes imparted invaluable expertise to the SLAF. The AEW went on, in later years, to perform some prodigious work, in the finest traditions of aviation engineering, mostly for the Air Force, but also for international civilian operators.' |
snake2
Joined: Aug 2006
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24 Feb 2007 10:21:15 GMT Report for Abuse
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Dinuk,
THanks for the link to the Blog,looks like a pretty good setup!! Hopefully they will keep updates coming regularly.
Eksath,
I have a question on the Pazmany Aircraft construction. Was it an aircraft with a Tubluar frame and with Fabric or Fibre Glass covering?
I would imagine an all metal airplane would need some sort of heavy casting work to be done to fabricate the frame members, or maybe its possible to fabricate the frame stations using sheet metal layers.
Also, what did the Heron Conversion program entail?? Was it a structural refurbishment or a modification? Would be interesting to find out more about it, and also about the work done by SLAF for civilian operators.
Edited By - snake2 - 24 Feb 2007 10:45:58 GMT |
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