Air MP

Now this may seem just a little too logical – but why (didn’t the government have the foresight (which was possessed by everyone else in the industry) to plan ahead and purchase half a dozen ex-Qantas 707-338s to be used in the dual air-refuelling/VIP role. These aircraft have been offered year in and year out by Qantas for such an application. Such aircraft would cost in the region of four to five million each, and as it would in reality be funds go­ing from one government pocket to another, the real cost would be minimal. Also the dollars stay here in Australia and don’t go to some US airline for aircraft that could be purchased locally. In these days of a massive dollar out­ flow one would think that point would carry some weight, though apparently not.

This scenario would provide several benefits.

Firstly, it would provide the RAAF with an air tanker capability in the ’80s and beyond. Secondly, the money would stay in Australia. Thirdly, the 707 aircraft would back-up as troop transport and VIP aircraft with ease and would offer true very-long-range capability due to the large amount of internal fuel carried.

So much for logic! Mr Killen has assured us that two 727s will be cheaper than one such aircraft. Well our only comment to that monumental statement is that if the said Minister ever decides to leave politics then there will be no shortage of airlines offering him a lucrative position as “procurer of aircraft”. Any man who can acquire and operate two big jets of the same vintage arid type cheaper than one has got to have a golden future ahead of him! Maybe we should simply provide each MP with a CT4 Airtrainer, a bagful/ of maps, a bottle of Glenfiddich and solve the entire VIP Fleet debacle in one fell stroke!