IAC Bulletin MTF/03.

06

The C130 is among the worlds most popular military aircraft, being used by over 60 countries and the METS has been developed to offer:
Genuine innovation Fast, simple and precise hydraulic engine positioning system Optimised operator comfort Low capital outlay and maintenance costs Easily adapted according to requirements Fully developed product for world market Turnkey solution

Adj. Jozef Calloens Material Manager C130 Propulsion Belgian Defence

product datasheet

"We are highly satisfied with the T56, all delivered on time and within budget within the usual public sector constraints that we face on such projects. I was impressed with the IAC Aviation team they did their maximum to help us throughout the contract implementation and communications with us were consistently very good. On a personal level, I also found them good people to deal with."

T56 MOBILE ENGINE TESTING FACILITY Client: Belgian Defence (BeDef)

THE T56 MOBILE ENGINE TEST FACILITY (METS)

The new METS represents real marketplace innovation. The new design utilises all the best technical aspects that made the original METS such a successful testing platform and provides unique and practical solutions to improve operational effectiveness across the board. The innovations begin with the purpose-designed handling system for the engine, through to the hydraulically-operated engine mounting mast and on to the superquiet control room and services module, where the operators have a new, comprehensive, full-performance data acquisition system. The first of its kind, the facility was developed for the Belgian Defence and was designed, delivered, commissioned and handed over inside 12 months.

FUEL MODULE

MOD APPROVED DESIGN AUTHORITY

IAC Aviation is a leading supplier of test solutions to military and civil aircraft operators world-wide and approved design authority to the UKs Ministry of Defence.

The fuel module is designed as a self-contained double-skinned fuel tank (capacity 4,000 litres) with all ancillary components locally mounted. The module is built to be plug and play when delivered to site, the only connections being a single flexible fuel hose and a power supply. This allows the module to be easily located to suit the environment and also provides a modular transport option, as it mounts directly to the METS frame for transportation as a single item. The system has all the necessary refinements required to ensure easy filling of the tank, protection from water contamination and also provide level information and fuel flow measurement and control. All components are purpose-designed for continual outdoor use with regular maintenance procedures described.

HYDRAULIC ENGINE POSITIONING SYSTEM BeDef test operators benefit from the METS excellent enginehandling capabilities
One of the most innovative design features of the new METS is the engine loading and positioning system. The key benefits of the new design are the simplicity of delivering the engine QEC module to the METS directly from the transport trolley at ground level where operators have full ground level access to install the engine. The engine is then moved into the testing position with the push of a button utilising the hydraulically-driven telescopic mast. When raised, a series of mechanical interlocks provides a safety system that locks the enginemounting mast in the testing position. This system removes the need for an onboard crane or site equipment and reduces engine-handling time between engine tests.

CONTROL ROOM/ OPERATOR CABIN

The ergonomic Control Room is designed to provide operators with an improved working environment. New features include an enlarged viewing window, new user-friendly console and instrumentation, improved acoustics with an IAC dual mode access door, improved operator protection using an impact protection construction, separate workbench and storage areas and full air conditioning. In addition to the above, the Control Room module includes a separate services area for power distribution and ancillary equipment. The complete module is fire protected and built to allow container-style transportation, but can be adjusted to customer size requirements.

ENGINE TRANSPORTATION TRAILER

The purpose--designed engine transport trailer performs two vital functions: the first is to allow long range mobility on site (up to 3kms per trip) making it possible to have a test site remote from engine/aircraft workshops. The second is to aid the unique and simplified engine loading method by direct docking to the METS. The trailer is of robust construction and is suitable for a variety of terrain and can be coupled to most transport vehicles via a standard draw bar and towing eye.

ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WITH VIBRATION MONITORING

Fully automated, the METS Aquarius Data Acquisition System (ADAS) is among the most sophisticated available in Europe. It provides low cost, real-time, full colour data processing and display of over 200 engine parameters simultaneously.

FULL TRANSPORTABILITY

AQUARIUS DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM

The ADAS was developed by IAC Aviations own aero engine testing engineers. The new system removes the need for additional manual instrumentation that is traditionally used with this engine for parameters such as engine torque. As with all IAC data acquisition systems, the screens are developed in conjunction with the customer during the design process and are fully user-configurable.

The METS has just two transportation modules rather than the more standard three: the Control Cabin and the Engine Test Facility. Its compact overall design makes for easy transportation, fitting comfortably onto a standard trailer or as a container style load. Weighing around 10 tons it also fits easily within the cargo bay of a C130, the aircraft whose engine it is designed to test.

OPTIONAL NOISE PERFORMANCE SOLUTION

Where environmental noise pollution needs to be avoided, IAC Aviation is able to supply a test house building to house the METS facility. Utilising soundabsorptive, high performance Noise-Lock modular acoustic panels fitted into a portal steel frame, such a test building is able to meet highly demanding acoustic specifications of up to 68dB(A) at 25 metres - a practical and economical solution.

IAC Aviation test cell at Valkenburg Naval Air Station, The Netherlands

IAC Aviation is also able to supply a mid-way solution for controlling environmental noise emissions in the form of acoustic, sound-reflective, jet wake barriers around the test area.

IAC is a BS EN ISO 9001 quality registered company

www.iacaviation.com

Certificate No. 932300

Gordon Edwards IAC Aviation IAC House Moorside Road Winchester Hants SO23 7US UK
Email: gordone@iacl.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1962873000 Fax: +44 (0) 1962873132 Web: www.iacaviation.com

Pascal Riche IAC Boet Stopson SA 26, rue Paul Doumer BP 704 59657 Villeneuve D'Asc Cedex France
Email: pascal.riche@boet-stopson.com Tel: +33 (0) 3 20 05 88 65 Fax: +33 (0) 3 20 05 88 92

Volker Horchens IAC Gmb, Sohlweg 17 D-41372 Niederkruechten Germany

Email: vh@iac-gmbh.de Tel: +49 (0) 2163 99910 Fax: +49 (0) 2163 999123

Julio Rubio Marques IAC Stopson Espanola SA Deu y Mata 104 - 110 08029 Barcelona Spain
Email: rubio@stopson.com Tel: + 34 (0) 9332 16684 Fax: + 34 (0) 9332 16249

Giorgio Pelagatti IAC Stopson Italiana SpA Via Leonardo da Vinci 191 20090 Trezzano Sul Naviglio Milan Italy
Email: pelagatti@stopson.it Tel: +39 (0) 02 48 44 22 1 Fax: +39 (0) 02 48 44 22 22

Anders Olsen IAC Nordic A/S Jernholmen 44 DK-2650 Hvidovre Denmark

Email: anders@iac-nordic.dk Tel: +45 (0) 36 77 88 00 Fax: +45 (0) 36 77 50 88

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