ENAER

ENAER (Spanish pronunciation: [enaˈeɾ]) (Empresa Nacional de Aeronáutica de Chile, "National Aeronautical Company of Chile") is a Chilean aircraft manufacturer.

Empresa Nacional de Aeronáutica de Chile
TypeState-owned company
IndustryAerospace, Defense
PredecessorMaestranza Central de Aviación
FoundedMarch 16, 1984 (1984-03-16)
Headquarters
Santiago, Santiago, Santiago
,
Chile
Area served
Latin America
ProductsMilitary aircraft
ServicesAircraft maintenance
Aircraft MLU systems
OwnerChilean Air Force
Websitewww.enaer.cl

History

The origins of ENAER can be traced back to 1930, when the Chilean Air Force formed a dedicated maintenance wing, the Maestranza Central de Aviación (Central Aviation Workshop). During 1980, the Chilean Air Force established an aircraft manufacturing arm, IndAer. During the early 1980s, an agreement with Piper Aircraft saw IndAer begin the local assembly of the firm's PA-28 Dakotas for the Chilean Air Force. Around the same period, it also started building the ENAER T-35 Pillán, a military light trainer, which was developed for manufacture in Chile by Piper, based on a PA-32R fuselage with a new center-section and wing stressed for aerobatics. The first production aircraft was delivered by ENAER to the Chilean Air Force Air Academy in August 1985.[1]

On 16 March 1984, IndAer was reorganised as a state-owned company separate to the Chilean Air force, named ENAER (Empresa Nacional de Aeronáutica de Chile, "National Aeronautical Company of Chile").[2][3] The Chilean Air Force initially provided the company with capital, personnel and resources, while one of the firm's prime responsibilities was to service the various aircraft types operated by the Chilean Air Force.

During the 1980s, the Chilean Air Force acquired four Spanish-built CASA C-101 trainer aircraft, along with a licensing agreement for another eight to be assembled locally by ENAER. In Chilean service, the type is designated as the T-36 Halcón.[4][5] A follow-on agreement for a dedicated attack version of the C-101, which was locally designated as the A-36 Halcón ("Falcon"), was also ordered by Chile;[6] only the prototype was manufactured in Spain, while the remaining 22 machines were assembled by ENAER. Modifications over the trainer model previously procured included an engine upgrade and increased fuel capacity.[6][7]

During 1986, ENAER decided to embark on its first entirely indigenous aircraft. It was a two-seat, single-engined light aircraft suitable for use by flying clubs as a training aircraft. As such, the project, initially known as the Avion Livano (light aircraft) and later known as the Ñamcú, was to be inexpensive,[8][9] with a price of US$70,000 claimed in 1991.[10][11][12] The first prototype made its maiden flight in April 1989,[9] with three more prototypes following, one of which had a fatal crash on 11 February 1992.[13]

After attempts to interest the Chilean Air Force in the Ñamcú failed, ENAER set up Euro-ENAER, a joint venture with the Delft University of Technology and private Dutch investors, to certify the aircraft as airworthy in the Netherlands under European regulations; ENAER hoped to sell as many as 50 aircraft per year, at a price which had increased to US$100,000 per aircraft.[14][15] By 1998, it was planned to assemble a modified version of the aircraft, powered by a 150 hp (110 kW) Textron Lycoming O-320-D2A engine, in a new factory in the Netherlands. Certification was expected by late that year, while the unit price had again risen to $120,000.[16] In early 1999, Euro-ENAER blamed poor weather and difficulties with the Joint Aviation Authorities for certification delays, while the unit price rose yet again to US$160,000, although the company was forecasting annual sales of 50 aircraft per year in Europe and 200 per year in America.[17] Euro-ENAER certified the aircraft in 1992, but the company announced that additional funding was needed to start production.[18] Financing could not be found, however, thus Euro-ENAER was declared bankrupt later that year.[19]

Aircraft

References

Citations
  1. Peperell & Smith 1987, p. 159
  2. Gunston 2005, pp. 145–146, 235
  3. Lambert 1990, p. 30
  4. Tobar, Alfonso and Graham Warwick. "Looking forward." Flight International, 14 April 1999.
  5. Hoyle, Craig. "PICTURES: Chile receives first four Super Tucanos." Flight International, 5 January 2010.
  6. Hewson 2001, p. 36.
  7. "Military Aircraft Directory: CASA." Flight International, 29 July 1998.
  8. Taylor 1988, pp. 33–34
  9. Lambert 1990, p. 31
  10. Hamill & Gould Flight International 5–11 June 1991, p. 49
  11. Lambert 1990, pp. 31–32
  12. Gaines Flight International 27 June–3 July 1990, pp. 40–42
  13. "News in Brief: Ñamcú Crashes". Flight International. Vol. 141, no. 4306. 19–25 February 1992. p. 9. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  14. Lewis & Norris Flight International 21–27 March 2000, p. 45
  15. "Enaer Namcu close to certification". Flight International. Vol. 147, no. 4469. 26 April – 2 May 1995. p. 23. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  16. "ENAER creates Dutch assembly base for Eaglet". Flight International. Vol. 153, no. 4607. 7–13 January 1998. p. 16. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  17. Sarsfield, Kate (24–30 March 1999). "Eaglet approval set back to later this year". Flight International. Vol. 155, no. 4669. p. 16. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  18. "ENAER to strengthen IAI ties with avionics move..." Flight International. Vol. 161, no. 4826. 9–15 April 2002. p. 13. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  19. Jackson 2003, pp. 71, 321

Bibliography
  • Gaines, Mike (27 June – 3 July 1990). "Chilean Lightweight". Flight International. Vol. 138, no. 4222. pp. 40–42. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  • Gunston, Bill (2005). World Encyclopedia of Aircraft Manufacturers (2nd ed.). Stroud, UK: Sutton Publishing. ISBN 0-7509-3981-8.
  • Hamill, Tom; Gould, Ian (5–11 June 1991). "Light Aircraft Buyer's Guide". Vol. 139, no. 4270. pp. 47–56. Retrieved 29 November 2019. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  • Jackson, Paul, ed. (2003). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.
  • Hewson, Robert. "The Vital Guide to Military Aircraft." Airlife, 2001. ISBN 1-84037-065-3.
  • Lambert, Mark, ed. (1990). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1990–91. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Defence Data. ISBN 0-7106-0908-6.
  • Lewis, Gary; Norris, Guy (21–27 March 2000). "Southern success". Flight International. Vol. 157, no. 4720. pp. 44–47. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  • Peperell, Roger W; Smith, Colin M (1987). Piper Aircraft and their forerunners. Tonbridge, Kent, England: Air-Britain. ISBN 0-85130-149-5.
  • Taylor, John W. R., ed. (1988). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1988–89. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Defence Data. ISBN 0-7106-0867-5.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H., ed. (1999). Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000. London: Brassey's. ISBN 1-85753-245-7.
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