Aviation

First Made-in-Turkey T625 Gokbey Helicopter Enters Service to Replace Bell Huey Fleet

Turkey has made significant strides in its aerospace industry, with a particular focus on advancing its domestic helicopter capabilities. This progress is marked by the development of several indigenous helicopter models designed to meet diverse operational needs and reduce reliance on foreign technology.

In a key milestone, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has delivered the first T625 Gokbey utility helicopters to the country’s military police as part of a launch order for 20 aircraft.

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The contract, signed with Ankara, outlines the delivery of a total of 20 medium-twin helicopters, with the first batch aimed primarily at replacing the aging Bell UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) helicopters currently in service with the Turkish government.

The Gokbey’s inaugural deliveries include three units for the Gendarmerie, with additional orders from the army (7), air force (4), security directorate (3), and coast guard (3).

TAI plans to deliver two more Gokbeys before the year ends, with the next batch of 20 helicopters scheduled for delivery in 2025 to various Turkish government agencies, further bolstering the nation’s aerial capabilities.

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Currently powered by twin LHTEC CTS800 engines from a joint venture between Rolls-Royce and Honeywell, TAI is also working on a domestic engine solution, the TS1400, developed by Tusas Engine Industries. The first flight of a T625 powered by the TS1400 took place in 2023, with hopes that deliveries of these new engines will commence in 2028.

The T625 Gokbey is designed with advanced features, including a four-axis, dual-redundant automatic flight control system and an ASELSAN glass cockpit, all contributing to its operational efficiency.

Weighing around 5 tonnes, the helicopter boasts a five-blade main rotor and a four-blade tail rotor with a diameter of 13.20 meters, optimized to minimize vibration and noise.The T625 Gokbey has also attracted interest internationally, receiving a $1 billion offer from an undisclosed country, showcasing its potential in the global aerospace market.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

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This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

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In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.