A flightworthy replica of the World War I-era Morane-Saulnier Type L Parasol airplane – an ancestor to Daher’s TBM fast turboprop aircraft – is being showcased for the first time during EAA’s AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in, July 24-30, 2017 at Wittman Regional Airport, Wisconsin.

This historic airplane is the result of a six-year adventure that started in 2011 with the 100th anniversary of Daher’s roots as an aircraft manufacturer. The Type L replica project has been supported from the start by Daher, which provides workspace, tooling, and expertise.

“We decided to exhibit the Type L at Oshkosh in 2017 because this year marks the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into World War I – which had an enormous influence in the development of aviation,” explained Nicolas Chabbert, the senior vice president of Daher’s airplane business unit, and president of SOCATA North America, its U.S subsidiary.

The replica’s construction project is managed by the Association Héritage Avions Morane-Saulnier, whose volunteers – both retired and current workers of Daher and its predecessor companies – have brought their energy and passion to this effort. Some of them are Morane-Saulnier veterans in their mid-80s. This replica retains the Type L’s Parasol’s original wooden structure, along with the wing-warping system and the aircraft’s all-moving-surface rudder and stabilizer.

To date, more than 15,000 man-hours have been invested by the volunteers in tasks ranging from woodworking to computer-assisted design. As the Morane-Saulnier aircraft is being built to fly, modern upgrades have been incorporated, including the substitution of a 110hp Rotec radial engine in place of the original Le Rhone rotary 80hp engine.

“Giving a ‘rebirth’ to the Type L represents the excellence in manufacturing and ingenuity that is reflected today in our TBM 910 and TBM 930 aircraft – which are recognized for their performance and quality,” Chabbert added.

TBM 910 makes its U.S. public debut
Daher also is showcasing the latest member of its fast turboprop aircraft family for the first time publicly in the U.S. with the TBM 910’s appearance during AirVenture.

It is equipped with the Garmin G1000 NXi all-glass integrated flight deck that replaces the previous G1000 configuration used on Daher TBM 900 versions. The high-resolution display and state-of-the-art processors provide a faster boot-up and software loading, while enabling the system to manage more aviation data and maps, such as visual approach plates.

“Since the TBM 910’s formal announcement only three months ago, this aircraft has captured attention of the owner/pilot market, and a dozen already have been delivered to enthusiastic customers on both sides of the Atlantic,” Chabbert said.

The TBM 910 benefits from the same range and performance that have contributed to the success of Daher’s TBM 900-series six-passenger pressurized single-engine turboprop aircraft, and this latest version also includes technical features such as the TBM e-copilot for lower pilot workload.

The TBM 910 enhanced interior includes the optional AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag in the torso section of 4-point seatbelts at the two cockpit seats. When triggered, the airbag deploys up and away from the seated occupant, providing protection to the head, neck and torso. The TBM 910’s AmSafe Seatbelt Airbag meets FAR 23.562 26g requirements for pilot/co-pilot seats, and provides additional safety for survivable impacts.

New Richmond, Wisconsin-based EPS Diesel expects to complete the FAA certification process by the end of this year for its Graflight 8 engine. Work toward a type certificate has been layered with the process that will lead to a production certificate. Concurrently, EPS has been expanding its facilities. The latest addition is a two-story hangar at the New Richmond Regional Airport (KRNH) that adds a total of nearly 15,000ft² to the 9,000ft² hangar they started with. The new structure is intended to be used for engine testing and for developing supplemental type certificates (STCs) for existing aircraft models. The facility will host state-of-the-art AC dynamometers and data acquisition systems (DAQ). The new addition also has outdoor test capabilities providing propeller test stands fully equipped with data acquisition systems and space for EPS’s novel mobile engine test laboratory (METL).

Earlier this year, the administrative staff moved into a new, larger office space. EPS also has a fourth facility that has been used for concept and conforming engine assembly. Later this year, the company will break ground for a new manufacturing building that will be set up for producing certified engines.

The Graflight 8 diesel engine, with a range of 320hp to 420hp, offers a Flat Vee configuration to fit many legacy single or twin engine aircraft and innovations including a patented glow plug, a new firing order, a carbon/steel crankcase, and software that will monitor all engine functions.

After a two-year hiatus, EPS is attending EAA’s AirVenture, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where it will occupy exhibit spaces 16 and 17, just west of Exhibit Building C. EPS President Michael Fuchs and VP Steven Weinzierl, who founded the company 11 years ago, will be presenting three forums during AirVenture.

Photo: Benny Chan

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc. chose to relocate to a new 14,000ft² location in El Segundo, California, to create a modern, welcoming space with an executive feel. The new office spans one floor, providing space for 27 staff, conference rooms, teaming rooms, executive offices, guest offices, a café, and break room.

The design team from IA Interior Architects worked with Aerojet Rocketdyne staff to create a modern and welcoming space reflective of the mature and conservative company culture. Natural and muted colors are used with wood finish accents, providing a blank canvas to highlight branded signage, company colors, and product exhibits such as an actual-size rocket motor with explanatory plaque in reception.

Incorporating Aerojet Rocketdyne’s brand colors throughout the workspace creates brand identity and recall for the company and its customers. Red and blue accents on chairs and in logos are consistent yet subtle, and custom wall graphics integrate brand messaging throughout the physical space. Floor-to-ceiling-height glass and continuous glass partitions thread through reception, work, and meeting spaces to create a transparent and collaborative atmosphere. Maximum natural light opens the space to a welcoming and community-based destination.

A long hallway leading to offices provides a gallery space to display representations of the company’s visions and business. The design team created a graphic wall concept for various topics, including a defense wall, space wall, values wall, brand wall, applied ingenuity wall, and video wall to exhibit Aerojet Rocketdyne. These private offices host the company executives and their assistants, the only staff at this location. Office furniture is custom designed to meet the client’s desired appearance and function. Amenity spaces include two main break rooms and an Aerospace Lounge.

Given the client’s interest in incorporating audio and visual components, electronic features are integrated in every space. Upon entry to the reception area, guests are greeted with a video wall displaying clips of Aerojet Rocketdyne’s company vision and products. Rooms throughout of the office maintain restricted access with card readers necessary for entry. The main conference room has six large monitors, each spanning 65" diagonally, connected to the main computer system to allow virtual brainstorming and training sessions. Conference rooms and board rooms also contain large customized tables that provide power and data access at every seat.

Lockheed Martin artist rendering of the NextSTEP habitat docked with Orion in cislunar orbit as part of a concept for the Deep Space Gateway.

Refurbishing a shuttle-era cargo container used to transfer cargo to the International Space Station, Lockheed Martin is prototyping a deep-space habitat for NASA at Kennedy Space Center. This prototype will integrate evolving technologies to keep astronauts safe while onboard and operate the spacecraft autonomously when unoccupied.

Under a public-private partnership, NASA recently awarded Lockheed Martin a Phase II contract for the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) habitat study contract. As part of Phase II, the team will continue to refine the design concept developed in Phase I and work with NASA to identify key system requirements for the Deep Space Gateway. Included in this work, the team will build a full-scale habitat prototype in the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center and a next-generation deep space avionics integration lab near Johnson Space Center.

"It is easy to take things for granted when you are living at home, but the recently selected astronauts will face unique challenges," said Bill Pratt, Lockheed Martin NextSTEP program manager. "Something as simple as calling your family is completely different when you are outside of low Earth orbit. While building this habitat, we have to operate in a different mindset that's more akin to long trips to Mars to ensure we keep them safe, healthy, and productive."

A full-scale prototype of the deep space habitat will be built by refurbishing the Donatello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM). Donatello was one of three large modules, flown in the space shuttle payload bay, that were used to transfer cargo to the International Space Station. The team will also rely heavily on mixed reality prototyping using virtual and augmented reality. Through this approach, the team can reduce cost and schedule, as well as identify and solve issues early in the design phase.

The work will occur throughout 18 months and will build upon the concept study performed in Phase I. Phase II will also focus on mixed reality and rapid prototyping, and working on concept refinement and risk reduction. The new results, which will be provided to NASA, will further the understanding of the systems, standards and common interfaces needed to make living in deep space possible.

Additionally, Lockheed Martin will build a Deep Space Avionics Integration Laboratory in Houston to demonstrate command and control between the Deep Space Gateway and Orion.