Newsdesk

Eastern Pleased With Airbus

On completion of their first complete year of operating the A300 Airbus, Eastern Air Lines have announced that the aircraft has achieved despatch reliability rate (on-time departures within a quarter hour of schedule) of 97.47%, a very high figure indeed considering the A300 is a new type which often tends towards small scale but nevertheless irritating teething troubles. Eastern also stated that the Airbus on a tonne-mile basis is almost 45% more fuel efficient than the line’s 727-l00s. In the first twelve months there was not one shutdown of the CF6-50C engine which equips the European built Airbus.

Concorde Looking Better:

During 1979 it is expected that Concorde operations will gross in excess of $100 million dollars. Concorde also provides the hidden bonus in that British Airways has estimated that during the first 12 months of Atlantic operation newly 60% of the passengers on BA Concordes would, without the supersonic lure have been travelling on other carriers. BA estimated that this factor could lead to between $30 and $50 million dollars in additional revenue that the airline would not have achieved if it were not for Concorde. furthermore, the Concorde operator enjoys the additional benefit of most passengers, whether they be subsonic or supersonic, flying the return portion of their journey on the same carrier. This trend has already increased BA Atlantic market share by 3.5%, worth an additional three million dollars annually. The sad fact of life for Concorde is that its main problem has not been pollution or noise, but politics. If the aircraft was able to operate on the same basis as subsonic transports in terms of gaining access to ports then it would be quite a money earner. Overall, it is estimated that Concorde in 1979 will improve rather than worsen British Airway’s financial position.

Pilot Drunkeness Cause of DC8 Crash:

The crash of a Japan Airline DC8- 62F at Anchorage, Alaska on January 13th, 1977 was largely caused by the flight Captain having twice the blood alcohol content permissible by Alaskan law to drive a motor vehicle. The US National Transportation and Safety Board detailed how the Captain’s condition was revealed in his actions leading up to the crash: “Getting lost while taxiing to the active runway, faster than normal rotation, rotation to a higher than normal pitch attitude after takeoff, failure to recognise aircraft buffet as a stall warning and his failure to take normal corrective action to correct the stall. JAL have since installed breath analysis equipment at pilot stations to ensure crewmembers have not been consuming alcohol. The crash resulted in the death of the crew of three, two cargo handlers and the cargo of live beef cattle.

Boom Year For Us Aerospace:

The American aerospace industry can’t put a foot wrong as the 70s draw to a close. Anticipated sales of US built aircraft for 1979 will exceed 41,000 million US dollars, around 13% up on 1978 sales of $37,000 million. The biggest surge has been in the profit-oriented commercial sector where new projects from Boeing have added billions of dollars to the accounts of almost all US manufacturers who are actively engaged in producing various components for the Boeing programs.

US Firms Seek Foreign Talent:

Various US aerospace companies, particularly Northrop and Boeing, are actively seeking overseas applicants to fill the ranks of skilled engineers and technicians required for the new wave of American projects. It is reported that many disgruntled British engineers are leaving the UK to work in the US where wages are as much as four time, that of their homeland. As it is, quite a few British Aerospace projects are understaffed on the research and development side due to the low wages paid to aircraft engineers. In comparison to their civil service counterparts, in many cases the difference is as great as 40%.

Airbus Production Rate to Increase:

Production rate of the A300B is to increase to four aircraft per month by the end of 1980. The current rate is one per month while production is planned to increase to three aircraft a month by early 1980. Four per month is the maximum number able to be produced on a one-shift-a-day basis at Toulouse. By adding a second shift Airbus lndustrie will be able to production to six per month and finally eight a month by expanding production to the adjoining exConcorde plant. Both A300 and A310 aircraft will eventually be produced at Toulouse on a common production line.

Additional Tristars Ordered:

Lockheed-California Company has announced that British Airways has ordered two additional L-1011 Tristars for delivery in March 1980.

This brings to 23 the number of firm and optional orders Britsh Airways has placed for L-1011 Tristars.

The airline presently operates nine Dash One Tristars on European and Middle-Easter routes

It will become the first carrier to use the Dash 500 when that model begins service this May.

More 10s For Continental:

Continental Airlines has announced a definite purchase agreement to acquire two McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 aircraft due delivery in August and September of 1979. Purchase price of the two aircraft, including cost escalation, extra equipment, engine and spare parts estimated at $US1 million. Options for up to two additional DC-10-30 aircraft for delivery in June 1979 were also part of the contract.

The new model aircraft have the greatest combination of range and payload produced in the DC-10 model. The DC-10-30 aircraft specified by Continental is capable of a 127,000-pound payload compared to a 104,000-pound payload of other DC-10 series planes. The Continental model has a maximum range of 7400 miles.

Continental currently owns and operates 15 DC-10-10 series aircraft plus a domestic fleet of 52 Boeing 727 planes.

Boeing To Update 727/737 Mode

Boeing have set up a product development team to ensure that the popular 727/737 family are continually updated in the coming decade. Boeing believe there exists many potential improvements to both types including stretching the 727, studying a wing and engines for the 737 and evaluating suitable new-technology powerplants to further reduce noise and fuel consumption. Formation of the team indicates that Boeing believe the 727/737 offer the best backup for their new 757/767 transports and Boeing will definitely not relinquish its hold on the 100/150 seat market in 80’s.

Less Fuel For More Passengers

Airlines used about 50 million gallons of fuel in 1978 than five years earlier in 1973 while carrying 78 million more passengers In that time the cost of fuel has more than tripled while the number of passengers flown per gallon and revenue passenger miles increased by nearly 40%. The remaining has been attributed to larger, more efficient aircraft carrying higher load factors and increased use of flight simulators and reduction in cruise speed.

Women On The Hop:

United Air has released figures which show that female business travellers are on the increase. During 1977, female business travellers accounted for 16% of United’s corporate market as against only 4% in 1974. It will be interesting to learn if this trend has occurred in Australia to that extent.

Dc9 Reaches Milestone:

Long Beach California – KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced an order for two McDonald Douglas DC-9 Series 30 twin jets for delivery in 1980 and options for two more.

McDonnell Douglas said the 2 airplanes are the 999th and 1000th DC-9s ordered since the beginning of the twin-jet program. To date, the nearly 900 DC-9s delivered have carried more than one billion passengers and in excess of 295 billion passenger miles.

The Netherlands carrier previously ordered 22 of the McDonnell Douglas and is among the largest DC-9 operators in Europe.

The KLM DC-9s will be arranged to accommodate 108 passengers in five-abreast seating in the “wide-look” interior.

KLM concurrently operates 15 McDonnell Douglas DC-8 transports and six wide-cabin DC-10 tri-jets in addition to its DC-9s and have flown every Douglas Commercial (DC) transport model since the DC-2 was induced in 1934.

Continental Airlines Offers One-carrier Freight Service:

Australian exporters will have a single carrier service to the industrial heartland of the United States when Continental Airlines begins service next month.

On southbound trips there will also be flights from the major centres of the US to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands of Fiji and Samoa.

Customs clearance will be handled at Continental terminals at Honolulu or Los Angeles for speedy transhipment to other centres.

Continental’s DC10s are specially equipped with larger-than-normal cargo bays and can handle full-size 2.2 x 3.2 sets and LD7 containers.

Stretched Ten:

Company Marketing representatives currently are discussing extended fuselage versions of the DC-10 with airline officials throughout the world. Under consideration for possible production are domestic and intercontinental models, with fuselages lengthened from eight to 12 metres beyond the 55.4 metres dimension of existing DC-10s.

The largest of the proposed Dc-10s would accommodate 393 passengers in first class and coach sections, compared to 275 In a normal mixed class Dc-10 of today.

With its increased capacity and design implements, the stretched DC-10 would have significant advantages in performance, cost less per seat mile and its turbofan engines would consume less per seat than competing aircraft.

Garuda Order For A300 Airaft:

Garuda Indonesian Airways has an agreement to buy six A30084-200 aircraft and has taken options on six ad­ditional aircraft.

Four of the wide-body jets ordered by Garuda will be delivered by the end of 1981 and the remaining two aircraft in January 1982. This makes Garuda, which operates a large fleet of Fokker F28 jets, one of the largest single buyers of European aerospace industry products. The purchase of the wide-body A300s totals approximately $US250 million.

The aircraft would be utilised by the air­ line on its domestic services. The airline had been experiencing an annual growth of ap­ approximately 25 per cent domestically. This increased lift capability will ensure Garuda is able to cope with the increased flow of tourism into Indonesia.

Capt. Koesdjinatin, Garuda’s manager for flight operations, said that the A300 as ordered by Garuda would be equipped with a new and very advanced cockpit. With respect to the aircraft systems there would be a great deal of commonality with the other Garuda aircraft now operating. This would lessen the spare parts cost burden for the company, he said.

Soebowo, manager for maintenance and engineering of Garuda explained that he is now in the process of building up Garuda’s expertise strength to be able to keep the air­ craft in top notch condition. Airbus Industrie will be assisting Garuda very much in this matter.

Airbus Wins Important Japanese Order:

The Japanese domestic airline TDA ‘(Toa Domestic Airlines) has ordered six A300 wide-body airliners with General Electric engines.

The model, designated B2-200, is specially designed to operate from short runways and will allow the airline to replace its present small DC9 and turboprop YS11 aircraft on a dense network linking the Japanese islands.

Up to now only the narrow-body aircraft have been able to serve these centres but the A300 type will allow the airline to in­troduce wide-body comfort, economy, fuel­ savings and environmental advantages such as quietness and cleanliness of operation in the heavily populated areas TDA serves.

The Japanese order is the culmination of a long process of developmental flying by Air­bus lndustries, the European consortium, which cleared various A300 models for operation from difficult runways.

A by-product of this developmental work was the demonstration of the suitability of the A300 for operations into and out of Wellington, New Zealand, using the existing Rongotai runway without extensions.

The $225 million contract will also help reduce the imbalance of trade between Europe and Japan and, because of the American content of the airliner in engines and systems, will also benefit US-Japan trade.

American Airlines Adds to 727 Orders:

American Airlines has purchased an additional 10 Boeing 727-200 jetliners, from the Boeing Commercial Airplane Com­pany.

Delivery of the new trijets will be from August through October 1980. The announcement brings American’s total 727 orders to 155 airplanes to date. In addition, the New York-based carrier has placed orders for 30 new Boeing 767s with options for 20 more.

Including various types of 707s and 747s, the carrier has purchased 329 jet airliners from Boeing.

Japan Air Lines Orders Five 747s:

Japan Air Lines has confirmed its purchase of five additional Boeing 747s for delivery from December 1979 through March 1980.

The purchase brings to 37 the number of 747s ordered by the Japanese flag carrier, which is the second-largest 747 operator in the world.

Air Rhodesia Treads Warily:

Follow­ing the second downing of an Air Rhodesia Viscount airliner by an SA-7 man-portable surface-to-air missile, that airline has now thrown back the clock and operates a DC3 on the Salisbury/Kariba route. Referred to locally as “flight Sam 7”, the DC3 spirals to 10,000ft over the confines of Lake Kariba before heading towards Salisbury, the reverse procedure is flown when the aircraft is flying to Kariba. Whether or not a height of 10,000ft is beyond SA-7 range is open to conjecture as jets have been hit at altitudes approaching 12,000ft in the Middle East. The DC3 does however have a spectacularly low Infra-red signature compared to the Viscount which also had its four turbine ex­hausts mounted under the wing and facing the ground, an ideal target for any IR sensor. At one stage prior to the second viscount incident, Air Rhodesia were flying aircraft at 300ft — providing a highly exciting ride for passengers. This flight profile was discontinued when verification was received that the missile was capable of operating down as low as 150ft.

McDonnell Douglas Annual Report:

McDonnell Douglas Corporation is making substantial progress towards its long-time goal of an even balance between commercial and government business, the aerospace corporation announced in its recently published 1976 annual report.

The backlog of firm orders, a record $6 billion, is divided equally between commercial and government services. Commercial sales are largely confined to DC-9 and DC-10 jetliners. Government business is concentrated in military aircraft, space products and missiles.

At the same time McDonnell Douglas announced that preliminary data indicates that it was for the third consecutive year, first in the United States in the dollar value of prime defense contracts awarded. Military aircraft sales in 1976 totaled nearly $2.3 billion.

In a separate announcement last month, the US Department of Defense said it was increasing the number of Hornets it intended to procure from McDonnell Douglas from 811 to 1366, a 60 percent hike in the Program.

Garuda Goes Boeing:

Garuda Indonesian Airways has announced the purchase of four Boeing 747-200Bs which will be the first Boeing jets in the large Indonesian flag carrier’s fleet. The four new 747s will be delivered in May, June, July and August 1960 for service on major trunk routes and for special charters during the Haj.

The normal seating capacity of the Garuda 747s will be 446, including 26 first class. For the special Haj flights to Jeddah, a special high-density all-economy seating arrangement for 546 passengers will be utilised. The airplane will be capable of carrying this passenger load non-stop from Jakarta to Jedda, Saudi Arabia.

Gross weight of the new Boeing will be 820,000 lbs. Engines chosen are the latest Pratt and Whitney JT9D-7Q with 53,000 lbs of thrust.

Garuda, one of the largest airlines in Southeast Asia, currently has a fleet of more than 60 jets and has schedules connecting Jakarta with major cities in Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the European cities of Athens, Rome, Zurich, Frankfurt, Paris, Brussel, and Amsterdam.

Allegheny Phase Out BAC111:

Allegheny Airlines, shortly changing its name to US Air, is planning to phase out its fleet of ageing BAC111 aircraft and replace them with DC-9s.

Qantas Big on the 747:

With the phasing out of its last 707, Qantas has now become first all-747 operator in the world. Qantas currently operates 17 Pratt & Whitney-equipped 747s with two RB211-equipped 747s scheduled for delivery later this year, this also amounts to the world’s largest fleet of B series 747 aircraft. The current fleet is presently being modified to increase seating from 421 to 438 while sleeperettes are being installed in the first class section of all aircraft including their addition to the upper lounge area.

Us Commuter Boom:

US Commuter operators are enjoying a boom that has provided them with an average of 10% passenger growth and 30% freight growth every year since 1970. There are now more than 200 commuter operators serving more than 700 communities and with the emphasis on airline deregulation the number looks set to increase further. This looks good of course for such aircraft as the Shorts 330, Bandeirante, King Air and even the Nomad. In Australia there are around four dozen commuter operators. The majority are small concerns of only a few staffers operating one or two twin-engine aircraft from small or remote rural towns to either the larger cities or feeder ports for scheduled F27 link-ups.

Iran Air Consolidates:

Not only the military suppliers are reeling from the loss of the ever-rich Iran market, now the commercial manufacturers are beginning to fell the squeeze. First causality is that Iran Air, the national carrier that formerly boasted was the world’s fastest-growing airline cancelled its three options held on the Concorde. Ironically, with the way Concorde is now starting to reap in the Pound noted just might be a good omen for British Airways in the long term. Other losses Boeing with five 747s cancelled and Air Industrie who will be down six A300’s. Iran Air’s fleet currently comprises three 747-200As, 2 747-300B Combis, six 707-320C and 727-200s, four 727-100s (some had Australia seconded crews) and four 737-200s.

Just for the Record:

As an aid to readers we thought it opportune to venture the exact disposition of operation Nomad aircraft in the surveillance our Northern coastline. The coastal aircraft will be covered by three separate tenders, as far as Nomad is concerned: (a) Search Master L, to be operated on behalf of the Customs Dept. , (b) 3 Search Master L to be operated on behalf of the D Transport, and (c) 5 Nomads which will the longer-range Bendix radar of the Master B for the Littoral role, to be operated on behalf of the Dept of Health. Fitmen the radar units has been undertaken at Hawker Pacific’s Bankstown facility.

Lufthansa Spends $US420 Million on 32 Advanced 737s:

Lufthansa Airlines has signed its final contract purchase of 32 Boeing 737 twin jets valued at approximately $US420 million.

The contract also includes provisions for up to 24 additional 737 options. Value of the contracts would be in excess of the quarters of a billion dollars if the agreement is later exercised.

Lufthansa, Boeing’s largest overseas customer, will use the advanced 737B to replace its current fleet of 26 737s, which first entered service with the German carrier in early 1968.

In comparison to its present 737s Lufthansa’s new twinjets will be considerably improved in the areas of fuel economy and advanced flight control system.

Deliveries of the new 737s will begin in the second half of 1980 and will continue through October 1981. The additional 24 aeroplanes would be for delivery early 1980s.

New quiet nacelle lined equipment lowers noise on landing, and a new Whitney/Boeing engine exhaust gas will reduce low-frequency noise on takeoff. Lufthansa has allocated approx $US20 million to accomplish these improvements on its new 737 fleet.

The new 737s will feature an advanced cockpit and improved flight control system. Digital electronics will be incorporated throughout the cockpit, and a computer operated automatic engine thrust system will be available to the flight from takeoff through landing, which will result in significant fuel savings to line. The airplane will also be equipped a new low-weather minimum landing system.

The contract represents the largest number of airplanes ever ordered at one time by any European airline. Lufthansa launched the 737 program with Boeing in February 1965 with an order of aeroplanes. Since its first order of 70 in 1956, Lufthansa has ordered 160 transports from Boeing.

Record Year for Cf-6:

Firm orders for General Electric CF6-powered Jetliners were received in 1978, far exceeding any previous year in the 10-year category of the CF6 program.

The 190 aircraft ordered included Airbus Industrie A300B2/B4 and A310 twin-engined airliners, Boeing 767-200 twin-engined air­craft, McDonnell Douglas DC-10 series 10 and 30 trijets, and Boeing 747-200 and SR rear engined jets, all powered by versions of GE CF6 high-bypass turbofan engine. the total value of GE’s Aircraft Engine Group F6 engines placed on order in 1978 ex­ceeded US$1000 million.

The previous high order year was 1977 when 75 powered aircraft were ordered. The third highest year was the inaugural year in 1968 when 57 aircraft were booked. Currently, 59 airlines and the US Government have ordered or are operating the CF6 line. As of January 1, 1979, 322 wide jetliners are flying with CF6 power, accumulating more than 11 million flight hours since scheduled service began in 1971. F6 engine shipments exceed 1300 units.

Airports Sell First 330 Airliners to UK Airline:

SHORTS the Belfast Aerospace Company, and Scotland’s main Regional Airline Logan-Air, Jointly announced that the airline today signed a contract to purchase two shorts 330 commuters for delivery in July this year and January next year. The sale, the First to a UK Airline, represents a very significant breakthrough for the rapidly developing regional airline in the British Isles, and is seen by pundits as a further major endorsement of one of the nation’s leading operators. The sale, which is valued with spares at 2. 5 million sterling, raises total orders by of 330s to 38 including two options, brings the number of airline customers spread through North America, the Caribbean, Europe, and now the UK.

Bandierante Selling Well:

Jakair of Sydney, the local distributor for Brazil’s Em­braer range of aircraft, report steady sales of the Bandeirante commuterliner. At the time of writing Masling was operating three air­ craft with a fourth to be added to the fleet in 1980. New Guinea-based Talair, Davey Air Services of Dubbo, NSW, Bassair (operating between Melbourne and King Island) and Tropical Airlines of Manilla, the Philippines each operate one 19-seat Bandeirante. Ad­vanced Airlines operates one aircraft and has another option. At a little under one million dollars flyaway, Jakair is confi­dent of establishing a market of up to 40 Bandierantes by the mid-80s.

Carbon Fibrepanels for RB211:

Rolls Royce, in conjunction with British Airways and British Aerospace, is testing special lightweight carbon fibre nacelle panels for the RB211 engine. The weight saving for each engine is in the region of 70Ib while the carbon fibre-clad engines are currently un­ undergoing commercial tests on two of BAs Tristars.

Rolls for Airbus?:

Rolls Royce and British Aerospace are planning to work together to attain certification of the RB211 engine on the Airbus A300. If the project reaches fulfilment total cost is expected to reach $38 million. No firm decision has been given to date to proceed with the project until Airbus Industrie finds a firm customer willing to choose the English engines over those of the Americans.

A310 Orders Reach 90, Worth $2. 5 Billion:

A third European airline, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, has announced orders for the A310 wide-body twin passenger air­ craft raising the total orders and options for the type to 90.

The wave of orders, recorded in a historic week, is worth about $A2. 5 billion ($2500 million).

The KLM order is for 10 firms with 10 options.

It follows the Lufthansa order the day before for 25 firm orders and 25 options and a Swissair one a few days previously, like KLM for 10 firms and 10 options.

The A310 is a smaller derivative of the highly successful A300 twin-engined wide­ body aircraft which has sold to airlines in the United States, Europe, South America, Africa and Asia.

The 200-passenger A310 (as compared with the 250-passenger A300) was launched after expressions of intent by Lufthansa, Swissair and Eastern Airlines of the United States.

The Dutch airline will use the A310 to replace its DC8s and DC9s in the 1980s. Delivery is to begin in 1983.

An announcement by the airline and the manufacturer, Airbus Industrie, said firm traffic growth in Europe prompted the move to bigger, quieter and more fuel-efficient aircraft.

European traffic is expected to average about seven per cent a year in the 1980s – about the same as recorded in Australia last year.

South African Airways Orders Two More 747s:

South African Airways has added to its orders for 747 jetliners with the purchase of two more from Boeing Commercial Airplane Company.

The new superjets for SAA will be 747- 200B Combi models, featuring a large slide cargo door in the left rear fuselage to allow the loading of freight pallets.

The aircraft can be operated with full passenger loads, or in any of several passenger/freight combination arrangements.

Delivery of the two 747s will begin in October 1980, and January 1981. South African Airways, with headquarters in Johannesburg, presently operates 11 Boe­ing 747s, including six long-range 747SP, on its extensive route system to Europe, America and the Far East. The airline carried more than three million passengers in 1978.

Air New Zealand Orders Another Boeing 737:

Air New Zealand has con­firmed its purchase of another Boeing 737 for its domestic and regional systems. The new Boeing, an advanced 737-200 will be delivered in June 1980.

Since the merger with National Airways last year, Air New Zealand’s 737s also are increasingly being used on regional Pacific routes as well, flying to Asia, Western Samoa and beginning in April, Fiji.

The Air New Zealand purchase brings the total sales of the popular twinjet to 694, of which 558 have been delivered.

Singapore Orders Eight A300s:

Sing­apore Airlines has decided to place an order with Airbus Industrie for six A300B4 aircraft. It has also taken options on an additional two aircraft.

With Singapore’s decision, all five ASEA airlines have now selected the A300 for their operations in Asia. Apart from ASIA, the ASEAN airlines are Thai International, Malaysian Airline System, Philippines Airlines and Garuda Indonesian Airways.

SIA’s A300s will operate on routes to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila, Jakarta, Colombo and Madras.

Third Boeing 747:

Cathay Pacific Airways has confirmed its option for the purchase of a third Rolls-Royce-powered Boeing 747, for delivery in September 1980.

The Hong Kong-based carrier, which is due to introduce 747 service on its route network in August, now has firm commitments for three 747-200Bs and options on three more.

The first Cathay Pacific 747 will be in­ introduced into service by operating flight CX- 101 from Hong Kong to Sydney on August 3, this year. The first 747 will be used on routes from Hong Kong to Sydney, Melbourne, Taipei, Tokyo and Seoul.

Laker Signs up for 10 A300s:

Laker Airways has signed a contract with Airbus ln­dustrie for the purchase of 10 A300 aircraft. The contract, which follows an earlier an­ announcement on the planned purchase, was signed in London by Sir Freddi Chairman of Airways, and Bernard Lathiere, president of Airbus Industrie.

The A300 version selected by the British carrier is the 134-200, the in-case range version of the famous twin-engined medium-range wide-body. The A300B4-200 has a maximum take-off weight of 165 tonnes and a range of about 3100nm with a nonnude passenger load. A300s will seat 305 passengers.

The aircraft will be operated on Laker holiday flights to the Mediterranean and Cayman Islands areas. They will also be introduced to Laker’s Berlin operations to replace 707s and BAC-111s. Laker will thus be the first carrier to operate a wide-body into Berlin.

Laker Airways thus becomes the 24th Air­ bus industry customer. Including this last order, the manufacturer holds orders for 190 A300s (142 firm and 48 op­tions) and 90 A310s (45 firm and 45 options).

Boeing Sets Another Record:

Korean Air Lines and the Boeing Commer­cial Airplane Company have signed an agreement which involves a total investment by the Korean flag carrier of more than $US1. 3 billion. This is the largest non-US commercial aircraft agreement in Boeing’s history.

Included in the agreement is a firm con­tract for the delivery of 10 Boeing 747s from 1980 through 1982 – and options for a further eight 747s for delivery in 1983 and 1984.

The cost of the 10-747s – including spares – will be more than $US660 million. The purchase includes four 747F freighters, three 747-100B passenger models and three 747- 200B long-range passenger types.

Gulfstream Back a Winner:

It seems all the world loves fighters, particularly if it is a professional refurbished or prop­jet that the client does 1101 have 10 mortgage his fie-et to buy. Gulfstream Americans, who just happen to specialise in firefight conver­sions, look set with their CV-880 conversation. Named the CV-880 Airlifter, the jet, of which there are 24 aircraft set for con­version, will carry,1 51,000lb payload over 1800nm at a block speed of 450kts. A range of up to 3000nm is possible carrying a lighter payload. The cost of a fully refurbished Airlifter which has a life of 3000hrs and 1000 cycles is stated at below A$2 million.

Deregulation at Work:

All major in­ternal and international US brands posted massive increases in 1978 owing to President Carter’s “open skies” deregula­tion policy. Lower airfares and unrestricted competition have resulted in a large increase in air travellers, including many people who would have formerly chosen coach or train travel in place of previously expensive air travel. Qantas along with other carriers providing heavily discounted fares is currently reaping the fruits of un­precedented traffic growth, the domestics could also enjoy similar results if perhaps they were a little more adventurous. We reprint details of the US experience below for your interpretation.

Delta and Boeing Sign Final 767 Contract:

Delta Air Lines of Atlanta and the Boeing Commercial Airplane Company have signed the final contract for the Airline’s purchase of 20 new generation 767 aircraft.

The contract formalises Delta’s selection of the 767, which was announced earlier. Delta’s investment in the 767 program will total more than $US1. 7 billion, the airline said. Deliveries will begin in October 1982 and continue through 1986.

Delta also took options for 22 aeroplanes. The 767 will seat 195 passengers in Delta’s configuration. The aircraft will be powered by General Electric’s new, fuel-efficient CF6- 80A engines. Delta plans to use the aircraft in most of its domestic markets.

Air Transport Statistics:

Domestic airlines carried 2. 664 million passengers in the quarter of March 1979 – an increase of 60,487 for the period last year. Domestic passengers arriving during the months to the third of March 1979 reached a new high of 10. 546 million – an increase of 92,000 or 5. 6 over the 12 months to March 31, 1978.

Standby passengers were first introduced in September and increased in March quarterly over 40 in the December quarter to an average of 4400 a week.

Comparative passenger and freight flight over recent quarters

Percentage Increases Over Previous V

Quarter-ended          Passenger            Freight
March 1978                     + 10.2                       +6
June 1978                       +13.5                         +14
September 1978            + 4.7                          +4
December 1978             + 2.6                          +2
March 1979                    + 2.3                          +5

Domestic, Airline performance figures for the year ended 31 December 1978 with 10. 454 million passengers up to 122,723 tonnes of freight up to 8. 2 passengers and 12,403 tonnes of mail up to 20. 3 per cent Hours flown increased by 3. 5 per cent from 270,714 in 1977 to 280,120 in 1978.

This performance produced a new industry high for annual domestic passenger movements, the previous highest passenger total being 10.408 million recorded in the year ended September 1978 In the quarter ended 31 December 1978, flown by the domestic airlines had decreased slightly by 0. 7 per cent from 69,881 to 69,412 hours.

Props for DC9 Dept:

Douglas Aircraft Co.’s passenger division of McDonnell Douglas is progressing well with the studies into the feasibility of a properly driven DC9. Two basic designs are to be pursued. One example feature is advanced turboprops mounted extended horizontal pylons to ensure quality prop clearance against the rear fuselage.

The other design relies upon two mounted turboprops in which case the tyre wing is moved 90 inches forward counter the Centre of Gravity changes effected by removal of the rear-mounted turbofans on the conventional jet DC9. Both aircraft use eight-bladed paddle props in place of the conventional four blades used on such aircraft as the Hercules and Orion Project study will continue under the NASA/Douglas sponsored programme with the objective being is to estimate accurately the feasibility of producing jet-speed comparable propellor transports that will use substantially less fuel than current generation turbofan airliners in addition to reducing noise via the use of advance design paddle propellors.

See photos below

General Aviation

Allison Never Looked Better:

The Detroit Allison Division is planning to increase production of its Model 250 engines by 25% this year. This will result in around 1700 units being delivered through 1979 and is based on market forecasts of a lift in helicopter sales of 30%. It is the second year in a row that Allison has had to increase Model 250 production by a quarter or more to maintain deliveries. In addition to powering over 5000 Bell and Kiowas the Model 250 also powers the B0105, Hughes 500 and our own Nomad.

Bell Planning Market Expansion:

The helicopter market certainly is in a state and Bell, the market leader certainly­ does not look like getting left out in the years to come. The current production rate of the popular Jetranger is 20 units a month in addition to a further three long Rangers. The program now encompasses five civil and military models. Production of the 222 is aimed at 10 a month by mid 1980 with this increasing to 15 a month in 1981, the 222 is firmly aimed at the coming executive market which Bell sees as very big business in the next decade.

Shorts and Piper Announce Licht Aircraft Production Agreement:

SHORTS, the Belfast-based aerospace com­pany, and Piper Aircraft Corporation of Lockhaven, Pennsylvania, USA, today jointly announced that they have signed an agree­ment involving the production of the Piper Tomahawk light trainer aircraft, in Northern Ireland. The agreement calls for first deliveries to be made in about four months and the Northern Ireland production line will produce Tomahawks at a rate of 10 aircraft per month.

The Tomahawk agreement is part of a wider agreement between the two com­panies to cooperate on any mutually advan­tageous project, and Shorts and Piper plan to examine other programs that might be undertaken jointly once Tomahawk produc­tion is established in Northern Ireland.

Shorts also announced the formation of a new, wholly-owned subsidiary company, Shorts Light Aircraft Company Limited, Shorlac, to handle Tomahawk production and other possible activities involving light aircraft. The new company will occupy 50,- 000 sq ft of the premises vacated in April. 1978 by The Royal Air Force Maintenance Unit on the perimeter of Shorts Belfast Harbour Airport. These premises have recently been purchased by Shorts.

Commenting on the agreements with Piper, Shorts Managing Director and Chief Executive, Philip Foreman said that the company’s primary object was to broaden its product-line base, and entry into the light aircraft business will undoubtedly result in the acquisition of considerable expertise in producing small aircraft, an area in which, in the past, there have been examples in the UK of manufacturers encountering severe problems. Mr Foreman added that Shorts was particularly pleased to have established a relationship with Piper who, as one of the world’s largest and leading light aircraft manufacturers, now has 26 different types of aircraft in its product range, with sales in 1978 exceeding 5250 aircraft worth over 167M Pounds Sterling.

Marketing and support of Tomahawks produced in Northern Ireland will continue to be handled by Pipers International Distribution Network throughout Europe and Africa.

Partenavia Goes Turbo:

Partenavia of Naples has teamed with Aeritalia, the principal State-owned airframe manufacturer, to produce a turboprop version of the successful P68 Victor. The new aircraft is designated P68 Turbo and is powered by two Allison 250-8178 turboprops each rated at 330shp for TO with a max continuous rating of 311shp. This results in a long-range cruise of 205mph with a max ceiling of 25,000ft. The P68 Turbo also features a retractable undercarriage and is configured with four hardpoints to carry light attack/rescue stores, etc. It is not known when the aircraft will achieve full quantity production though deliveries are hoped to commence prior to 1982.

Quieter Copters:

Boeing Vertrol has established that their new plastic-bladed CH47C Chinook is 13EPNd8 quieter during a 500ft flypast at 90% power. Furthermore, the new plastic blades provide a 6.4% boost in payload and an overall 9% increase in fuel economy for the s,1me cruise power. Development is continuing.

Executive Jets Sell Well:

Cessna’s Citation is selling like the proverbial cakes, over 550 have been delivered to date while the company confidently predicts that it will sell its 1000th Citation by late 1981. The total number of learners produced to date comfortably exceeds 800 units. Meanwhile, Dassault has delivered their 550th model of the Falcon family. Dassault is currently holding orders for 100 of its new tri-jet Falcon 50 and has increased production of this type to 30 per annum.

NASA Pays the Piper:

The Cessnock-based National Aviation Space Academy (NASA) has taken delivery of three Tomahawks to take its all-Piper fleet to 14 aircraft. NASA commenced operation in 1967 with three aircraft and five instructors and is the only DOT-approved flight school offering a full commercial course. NASA provides live-in facilities for up to 80 students many of which are prospective pilots for Air Niugini, Garuda, MAS and Air Pacific. NASA’s choice of the Tomahawk trainer reflects the worldwide approval given to this smallest Piper which has seen over 1000 units produced in less than two years.

Learjet Claims Records:

The first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong, set another first recently when he flew a production Learjet 28 Longhorn into the record books. Claimed records are for sustained flight at 51,000ft for business aircraft in categories below 6000kg. Also claimed was the record time to climb through 15,000 metres (49,215ft) with 12 minutes 26 seconds registered. The latter is something that learners are now famous for.

A Life Saver From Water Wings:

Waler Wings, the Sydney-based floatplane operator hoping to gain approval to commence a scheduled floatplane service from Sydney harbour to Wollongong and Newcastle Harbour, have met with strong public support for their Seaplane Operation Search (SOS) scheme. SOS, a volunteer pilot group, is providing a coastal search service with Cessna Skyhawk seaplanes which are available to any bona fide emergency service. They are used to assist in search and rescue work undertaken by the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association and the Surf Life Saving Association in conjunction with the Helicopter Rescue Service. Two of the Water Wings seaplanes are made available every weekend and public holiday. These aircraft are sponsored by John Sands Cards and Games a nd Channel 7 Television. Professional maintenance engineers, flying instructors and search and rescue coordinators are provided by Water Wings to ensure the effectiveness of equipment and competence in the volunteer crews. The seaplanes are based in the Sydney region and various sub-basks have been established along the coast. From Sydney, the range extends to Coffs Harbour and return – without refuelling – or down to the Victorian border and back.

Aries for Australia:

Sportair Aviation, based in Sydney, reports that the Bellanca Aries is getting closer to Australia. No firm date has yet been announced for the first arrival, but Sportair’s Warwick Pollard recently returned from a US visit with the news that he hopes to take delivery of the first Australian Aries T-250 in the foreseeable future.

The Aries, first certificated in the United States in 1976, was shown to the aviation Press in January 1977.

Designer Marvin Greenwood and his team aimed at a comfortable, fast-light single easy to produce and thus competitively priced.

First estimated retailings (US dollars) were quoted at about $51,000 base price. First production run has already begun, says Pollard.

Powered by a six-cylinder Lycoming 0- 540-A4D5, the T-250 uses flat skins where practicable in its design, and simple rather than compound curves.

Sporting a T-tail, the Aries has been designed with an updraft air intake which obviates the need for cowl flappage.

Streamlined to a high peak of efficiency, the T-250 has a fully enclosed undercarriage, gap-sealed flaps and control surfaces and flush-rivetting techniques.

Figures available from US tests include a useful load of 1262Ib (gross, normal cat., 3150Ib, empty 1888Ib); 76 galls US tanks, max cruise 181kts at 7000ft; stall (clean) 63kts, dirty 56kts; best roe 1240 ft; max range with auxiliaries plus reserve, 1071 nm; and fuel consumption at max economy of 11gph US.

Initial test reports say the Aries T-250 has quick response from the stabilator and rudder, but the ailerons are slower.

1979 Best Us GA Year Ever:

The US General Aviation Manufacturers Association recently announced that 1979 would see US GA sales top two billion dollars. The market projection follows 1978 sales of $1.78 billion, up 19.2% on the previous year. GAMA President Edward Stimpson noted that it took from 1949 to 1975 to reach $1 billion in sales, and now it is forecast to take four years to double that figure. The turboprop market continued to be the growth leader with projected sales of 600 aircraft in 1979 as against 548 in 1978. The second largest gainer in 1978 was multiengine piston engine aircraft, value of these sales during 1978 was up by 26% over 1977 figures. Jet aircraft increased sales from 231 in 1978 10 a projected figure of 280 for 1979 billing some $520 million. Single engine sales for 1978 were 13,651 aircraft while 1979 projections call for 14,000 sales worth $532 million.

US General Aviation Manufacturers ASSN Predicts:

That will be its first $2 billion year. It took the US general aircraft manufacturers from 1970 to 1975 to reach $1 billion in net billings, it is predicted that it will take four years to reach $2 billion. The total general aviation aircraft fleet in the US is now over 186,000.

Cold Centurion:

The world’s only pressurised single, the Cessna Centurion has received US FAA certification for flight in known icing conditions. Provided as an additional package for around $10,000 the air icing kit includes de-icing boots for wing stabilator and fin in addition to anti-ice equipment for the propeller and windscreen.

Vale the Jetstar:

It now appears ultimately that Lockheed Georgia will continue producing the Jetstar II after the 40th aircraft is delivered later this year. The four-engine executive jet has been meeting with serious market opposition from AiResearch Aviation who have been busy refitting older examples with newer, quieter and more efficient engines hence undercutting most of the operational advantage gained by the revamped Jetstar II. It is estimated that when production finally ends there will be near 200 operational Lockheed Jetstar aircraft.

Helicopters Set for Boom:

Royal Aeronautical Society has foreseen boom conditions for the expanding rotor wing market. Currently, some 6%, or 12,000 of the world’s fleet of 200,000 civil aircraft are helicopters. The RAS also estimates that more than 20,000 rotary-wing aircraft will be built during the 1980s, of which 12,000, or 60% of these will be for civil applications reversing a trend that usually favoured the military function of the helicopter.

Military

Soviets Roll out New Bomber:

It seems that every month a new Soviet aircraft is launched. The latest is a strategic bomber which is larger than the American 8-1 and is powered by four Kunetsov NK-144 turbojets of 44,000lb thrust with afterburning. US Dept of Defence has revealed that the aircraft also measures variable sweep and could become operational as early as 1983. During 1978 some 1000 Soviet fighters were built including 500 MiG23/27s.

“Tattoo” to Honour Hercules:

The legendary Lockheed C-130 Hercules reaches the ripe age of 25 this year – the anniversary of its first flight – and an international air show in Great Britain is showing a big party in honour of the occasion.

It was August 1954, that the prototype YC-130 made its maiden flight at the Lockheed terminal in Burbank, California.

Hence, that date more than 1530 Hercules have been delivered, providing a versatile capability worldwide.

The silver anniversary of this occasion will be saluted by International Air Tattoo ’79, which is being held beginning June 20.

More than 200,000 people are expected to attend the event at the Royal Air Force’s Common Base, 40 miles west of London.

The Tattoo organiser, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Association, has issued invitations to Hercules operators around the world.

At least 25 planes from as many countries are expected to fly in for static display.

On the day, there will be a seven-hour internal flying display. Approximately 100 aeroplanes will take part, including the latest, line aircraft, aerobatic teams and older aircraft. Hot air balloons will give demonstrations.

The anniversary celebration for the Hercules will be honouring one of the most reliable aircraft in the annals of aviation.

Delivered to operators in 43 countries – in an astonishing variety of models and relatives – the longevity of Hercules production is a major aviation feat.

Air Force, Navy to Develop F101 Alternative:

The Air Force has awarded a SUS79. 7 million contract to General Electric Co., Aircraft Engine Group, Cincinnati, Ohio, for limited development flight test demonstration of the F101 alternative fighter engine (DFE). Of this amount, $US18. 5 million was committed in full.

As part of a cooperative plan between Air Force and the US Navy for joint propulsion efforts, the Air Force has been tasked to develop the F101 DFE as a potential alternate engine to power such aircraft as the Navy F-14 and Air Force F-16.

Limited engineering development aim is planned for the 29,000lb thrust advanced technology engine design uses proven components of the F101 and developed for the B-1 strategic aircraft and the YJ101 and F404 engines developed for the YF-17, MD F-18 fighter aircraft provide a reliable, rugged performance fighter engine.

General Electric will design and fabricate the DFE at its Evendale plant near Cincinnati. Development testing will be conducted at the GE Evendale plant and at Arnold Engineering Development Centre (AEDC) at Tullahoma, Tenn. These tests will provide an assessment of engine operability, life and performance capability prior to being released for flight. Three engines will be delivered by GE for a limited Air Force/Navy flight test program in both F-16 and F-14 fighter aircraft.

General Electric plans associate relationships with builders of the F-16 and F-14, General Dynamics, Fort Worth Division, fort Worth, Texas, and Grumman Aerospace Co. , Bethpage, Long Island, NY, respectively.

New ECM Suite for Veteran Bomber:

Northrop Corporation has delivered on schedule to the US Air Force the first production version of an improved, computer-managed electronic countermeasures (ECM) system for the B-52 strategic bomber.

The improved, computer-managed ECM system just delivered, designated AN/ ALQ- 155(V), will increase the B-52s’ survivability. against enemy threats by automatically jamming radar signals. The system, under the supervision of the electronic warfare officer, automatically controls and directs the radiated power of the improved ECM jamming transmitters, and focuses. ill available energy against the most immediate threats.

Northrop has supplied the major portion of B-52 countermeasures equipment for the past 20 years.

Modifications to Backfire Increase Range:

US Dept of Defence has revealed that the Soviets have flight-tested a B version of the Backfire with enlarged vertical air inlets and various engine improvements designed to increase range. The series of tests have also included the firing of a cruise missile with a reported range of 1200km, this is the first instance of Soviet cruise missiles being air-launched from the Backfire. The production rate is two to three aircraft per month while 140 Backfires serve fairly equally between Soviet naval and long-range components.

Norway Orders More Westland Lynx:

Two more Westland Lynx helicopters have been ordered by Norway for coastguard duties. The contract, which includes spares, takes Norway’s Lynx order book to six.

In placing the order, the Norwegian Air Materiel Command of the Royal Norwegian Air Force took up an option that was included in the first order for four Lynx in July 1978. All six Lynx are due for delivery in 1981.

The Lynx are to be the up-rated version, at an all-up-weight of 10,500Ib, and are planned to operate from the new Norwegian Coastguard vessels, on coastguard duties, including surveillance and rescue.

Lynx’s total order book, including the army version, now stands at 287, with orders for the navy version from Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Brazil and Argentina.

A further 200 Lynx are to be produced in Egypt for the Governments of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Qatar.

Hornet Test Program Proceeds Smoothly:

The US Navy and Marine Corps F-18A Hornet strike fighter has reached Mach 1. 7, or almost 95 per cent of its designed maximum speed.

The announcement of the flight at the naval air test centre, Patuxent River, MD, came from Joseph C. Waldner, General Manager of the McDonnell Douglas f-18 program. The supersonic mark of Mach 1. 7 is equal to a ground speed of just over 1100 miles an hour.

In a separate test flight soon after the high-speed flight, a navy pilot flew the aircraft for the first time. All previous flights occurred with McDonnell Douglas test pilots at the controls.

The navy pilot is Lt Cmdr John E. Padgett, part of a team of skilled naval aviators taking part in the Hornet flight test program.

Commander Padgett, a 14-year Navy veteran, took the F-18A to 20,000 feet and about 640 miles per hour during his one-hour flight.

The mach 1. 7 mark came during a 2. 3-hour flight by William H. Brinks, F-18A project pilot for McDonnell Douglas. The aircraft’s altitude was 40,000 feet. It was the 42nd Hornet flight. The first came in November 1978 at the McDonnell Aircraft Division of McDonnell Douglas in St Louis.

McDonnell Aircraft Vice President Waldner also reported that the aircraft’s maximum altitude thus far in the flight test program is 45,000 feet and that it had been stressed to five G’s in flight.

The Hornet is an all-weather fighter in the Mach 1.8 speed class designed for operations from aircraft carriers or shore bases by the Navy and Marine Corps.

It was designed to be equally adept at the fighter escort and strike roles and to augment other aircraft for fleet defence. The F-18A carries radar-guided Sparrow and heat-seeking Sidewinder missiles, and a 20- millimetre cannon. For strike missions, the Hornet can carry up to 19,000 pounds.

While the first Hornet undergoes tests at Patuxent River, the second F-18A is in preliminary flight testing at St Louis before joining the first aircraft in Maryland.

The Navy has announced its intention to procure 1377 Hornets and the aircraft is under active consideration by Australia, Canada and Spain for their air forces.

Hawkeye Costs:

The unit cost of the Grumman E-2C Hawkeye AWACS aircraft is $US31. 4 flyaway rising to $US42. 9 with a comprehensive inventory of spares. This compares to a per unit cost of $US39. 5 million with spares for the Israeli Air Force and $US23. 1 for the USN without spares. This compares well to the generally mooted price tag of around $US110 per copy flyaway for the Boeing E-3 Sentry.

Tornado Popular:

The Panavia Tornado is proving popular with every USAF crew who flies the pre-production test Tornado as a lead-up to the USAF enhanced tactical fighter program. Every US aircraft manufacturer will be competing in the program but with NATO’s much-supported two-way street policy on weapons acquisition and commonality, the European-developed and constructed Tornado could well prove the winner. As it is the Tornado is the only contestant aircraft fully capable of flying the extremely low altitude hi g h penetration speed TFR missions required by the guideline:, of the enhanced tactical fighter programs. Other happenings on this front are the teaming of McDonnell Douglas with Hughes Aircraft to push a modified version of the F-15 and Fairchild who have just test flown their first two-seat highly modified A-10 Thunderbolt II.

Super MIG25 on Way:

Soviets have developed an advanced radar-guided missile, the AA-X-9, for use with the new lookdown radar being fitted to an improved performance two-seat MiG25 Foxbat. US Dept of Defense has monitored several firings of the new missile which has successfully destroyed both high and low-altitude cruise missile-simulating drones. While this development has been largely held as inevitable it was also pointed out that Boeing ALCM-type cruise missiles present a far smaller radar cross-section than the Russian drones.

Surveillance Cessna:

The US Customs Service is soon to take delivery of a Cessna Citation II equipped with a Westinghouse F-16 radar. The intended role of the aircraft is to spot smuggler operations over the Gulf of Mexico. The radar unit fits in a slightly extended nose cone with most of the associated electronics in the aft baggage section. The Citation is also well-equipped with infrared sensors and an inertial navigation system.

Soviets Ready to Field Three New Aircraft:

Forging ahead with plans to introduce almost 6000 new front-line fighter aircraft by 1983, the Soviet Union has revealed the existence of three new Jircraft designed to gain air superiority and to directly provide ground support for land-based forces. One aircraft, referred to as Ram L, closely resembles the r-18, is twin-engined, of similar dimensions and weights as the F-18 family and is of twin-tail configuration. This type is being developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and can carry radar-guided AAMs in addition to IR missiles. The second aircraft is the Ram K which is a variable geometry wing design weighing in at around 60,000lb. This aircraft is very similar, both visually and in operational intent to the Grumman f-14 Tomcat. It is thought this aircraft is the long-awaited combat replacement. The third aircraft is the Ram J which is very similar to the Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II. The Ram J features a 30mm cannon and can carry up to 13,000lb or ordnance on underwing pylons, the technical radius is in the vicinity of 650nm and the aircraft grosses at around 36,000lb. Visually the RJ resembles the ill-lated Northrop YA-9A which fought it out with Fairchild’s YA-10A back in 1973 for the USAF A-X (AttackExpcrimental) program. The primary difference in this respect is that the Soviet aircraft has overwing mounted jet engines obviously as a counter to ground-monitored infrared signature. USSR is currently building around 1100 fighter aircraft annually, about 25% of which are exported directly to Warpac nations. By comparison, the US produces around half this number annually of which more than half are destined for export.

1000 Hinds in Operation:

Delivery of the Hind A and D models has now exceeded 1000 units. The tank-busting commando carrier also has been upgunned with a 30mm Gatling gun replacing the 23mm unit in earlier models along with a laser seeker sight in the nose. Production continues at the rate of 30 per month.

Gun Pod for F-5E Tested:

A Northrop F-5E has successfully concluded technology demonstration flight tests of a new GenNal Electric 30mm gun pod.

The F-5E with the gun pod “handled the same as a regular F-SE carrying a centre fuel tank,” Rich Richins, Northrop test pilot, said. It was the first time that an F-SE had ever flown with a 30mm weapon.

The F-SE completed 13 flights at Edwards AFB carrying the centreline-mounted gun pod. The GE prototype gun has four barrels and can fire at a rate of 2400 rounds per minute. During the firings on the test flights, approximately 800 rounds of 30mm GAU-8 type ammunition were used. The firings included burm of up to 50 rounds.

After the tests, Richins reported that cockpit vibration was less than what is normally felt when firing the two 20mm nose guns. He also noted that,11 the new gun “seemed to track well with the rounds going exactly where the pipper (gun sight) was placed”.

Neptune’s 34-Year Run in Japan:

The longest production run of any,1ircraft type in history ended last month when Japan rolled out its first Lockheed-designed Neptune patrol plane, 34 years after the first model was built in Burbank.

The aircraft was the 83rd built in the P-2 series, the last variant of the Neptune.

It came off the assembly line in ceremonies at Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ Gifu Aircraft Works near Nagoya, Japan.

Designed by Lockheed as an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft for the US armed forces near the end of World War II, the Neptune remained in continuous production since 1945 – first in Burbank and for the past 21 years in Japan.

Over the years Neptunes powered by combinations of the piston, turboprop, and pure jet engine, have been flown by the military services of 10 nations.

In 1956 Lockheed built 16 P2V-7 Neptunes for the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF), under a Military Assistance Program, and in 1958 an agreement was signed between Lockheed and Kawasaki to license-build 42 P2V-7 in Japan.

In 1965 Kawasaki started work on the first prototype by making extensive modifications to the P2V-7.

The fuselage was extended ahead of the leading edge of the wing to increase cargo space and improved avionic and ASW was installed.

The Wright R-3350 piston engines were replaced with General Electric T64 turboprops and the two Westinghouse J34 turbojets mounted below the wings were replaced with Japanese-developed J3 turbojets.

Altogether, there were nine basic modes of the Lockheed P2V Neptune with a grand total of 1,182 aircraft manufacturers since 1945.

The Neptune has served around the world under the flags of the US Navy and force, British Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Netherlands Naval Force, Royal Australian Air Force and Argentine Navy, and is still being operated with the naval air services of France, British and Portugal.

Though production has ceased, the aircraft will remain in service in Japan well the 1980s when it will then be replaced by the licensed-built version of the Lockheed P-3 Orion.

Co-production of 42 Lockheed P-3 Orion ASW aircraft received official approval in June 1978 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the US and Japanese governments, officials of the US Department of Defence, the Japanese Defence Agency and the Lockheed California Company.

Under the agreement, three Orions are to be produced in Burbank by Lockheed and purchased under a separate foreign military sales contract from the US Navy.

Four unassembled aircraft, called “knockdown” kits, will be produced by Lockheed for assembly in Japan, and the remaining 38 aircraft will be built entirely in Japan by Kawasaki.

Deliveries of the three Lockheed-assembled Orions will begin in 1981, and the 42 Japanese-produced aircraft will built in 1989.

Hercules Weather Birds “Defrost” Air Strips

US Air Force aircraft were able to land at foggy airstrips in Europe recently thanks to two Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft.

Two WC-130 weather birds from Kees AFB, Mississippi dropped dry ice and cleared the fields by turning the fog into snowflakes.

Cold fog – which is prevented this time of year in Europe’ and Alaska – consists of suspended water droplets which are below the freezing point. Fog banks roll in sometimes reaching several thousand feet high.

When this happens, socking in the airfield and preventing aircraft traffic, the Air Force calls in the Lockheed WC-130s bearing up two tons of dry ice and hammermill.

Just before the aeroplanes reach the field the hammermill converts the five-pound blocks of dry ice into powder, which is parsed over the top of the fog bank.

Dry ice triggers a chain reaction, causing the water contents of the fog to condense into the crystals, precipitating as light snow forty-five minutes after the seeding, the LZ is clear. Weather birds fly the “seeding lanes” from several thousand feet right down to 200 feet depending on the height of the fog bank. The low altitude flying in the fog is permitted through special waivers.

The WC-130s flew out of Rhein-Main AB Frankfurt, flying to designated airstrips in support of Reforger 79, a NATO exercise.

AMST Hercules on Offer:

Lockheed Georgia has made an unsolicited presentation to the USAF on a C-130 derivative to fulfil the AMST requirements. This greatly-revised Hercules would feature a stretch of the cargo compartment of 6 feet 6 inches, cabin width would be increased from 10 feet to 11 to 8 inches while cabin height would go from 9 feet 2 inches to 11 feet 4 inches. This would result in an overall increase of 33 percent in cargo volume. More powerful DDA 501-M71 turboprops each developing 5600shp coupled with a larger 14 feet diameter propellers along with a redesigned alt-fuselage and a new tail contraction of around 50 knot. The new airframe would be capable of accepting the complete AMST RFP while Lockheed estimate a revised Hercules would be significantly cheaper to buy and operate than either the YC-14 or YC-15 jet-powered alternatives. A decision on the AMST program will be made by the US Senate this coming spring.

Libyans Astray:

During the final days of the Libyan-assisted Amin-led defence of Uganda, there emerged quite a few interesting stories of SNAFU at its peak. Reports have since been confirmed that the Hercules aircraft airlifting Libyan troops to Entebbe had met rather undignified fates. One Hercules lost its way and landed instead in – of all places Tanzania, another Hercules crash-landed due to a poorly flown approach while another Herc simply lost its way and ran out of fuel and crashed into the north of Uganda, There is no accurate report of how many casualties were suffered. Libya also threw in several Blinders which on the night of March bombed the Tanzanian town of Mwawza only to have most of the bombs fall into nearby Lake Victoria. This is the first reported use of the Tu-22 in actual combat.

Engine Technology Breakthrough:

The US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has a breakthrough in metal technology that could result in current-design turbine engines producing up to 10 as much as a 50 per cent power gain. The entire success of the project revolves around a DARPA-developed Rapid Solidification Rate (RSR) powder that promises a dramatic improvement over the best super-alloys of today. Tests so far have indicated a 4000 per cent increase in metal longevity over current engine metals, a 2000 per cent 111-creep-rupture life and a 3800 per cent increase in high-temperature oxidisation resistance. Furthermore, RSR is easy to work with and can be used quite easily on current design engines and parts, RSR material in the high-temperature turbine blade area would for instance increase part life by nine times. RSR could eliminate expensive and hard-to-get Cobalt in engine designs of the future.

Ski-Jump Goes to USA:

The Fairey engineering MGB ski-jump used so convincingly to demonstrate, the latest Harrier attribute at the 1978 Farnborough Air Show has been shipped 10 the US Naval Air Test Centre at Patuxent River, Md, for use by the USMC to study the launch technique with existing AV8A aircraft. The advanced AV8B prototype will also be using the ski-jump later in its test program.

Stretched Puma:

Aerospatiale Helicopters is developing a stretched version of its medium-Super Puma helicopter. The twin-turbine helicopter will carry up to 23 persons and be available in both civil and military versions.

Sentry for the Pacific:

USAF E3A Sentry aircraft have been deployed to Kadena Ai, Base on the Japanese island of Okinawa. The four aircraft detachment belongs to the 552nd AWACS Wing based at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma and will be routinely rotated on a 150-day cycle. The permanent basing of this aircraft on Okinawa will take place in 1983. The EJA has also been statin Iceland since last September.

France Wants Coastguard:

France is currently negotiating the purchase of up to 16 BAe 748 aircraft including 4 of the Coastguard models. Roles envisaged by the French will be navigation training, search and rescue and paratroop training. If the deal reaches fruition it will be the first English aircraft purchased by France since the Avro Lancaster 111 1952, it then seems fitting to note that Avro was the original p1oducers of the 748 before merging with Hawker Siddeley and finally becoming a BrrI1sh Aerospace product. France is also currently investigating acquiring the Grumm,111 E2C Hawkeye AWACS aircraft for overall surveillance capabilities.

Starlifters Gather Weather Data:

Four Lockheed-Georgia manufactured C-141 Starlifters have been deployed to participate in a special year-round, monitoring task force to record global weather data in 140 nations.

The Air Force Starlifters were recently modified at Lockheed with drop windsonde systems.

The system incorporates small cylinders to collect atmospheric pressures, temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction between the aeroplanes and the Earth’s surface.

The cylinders are dropped from the C-141 and data is instantly transmitted back to the aircraft.

The experiment is a part of the Global Atmospheric Research program, a joint effort of the World Meteorological Organisation and the International Council of Scientific Unions.

The purpose of the experiment is to examine the feasibility of establishing an airborne weather reporting system that would make meteorological information available in immediate, or real-time values.

The system would be correlated with weather satellites to provide more accurate and immediate information for airborne and ground units.

Two aircraft are operating out of Panama and two out of Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

Each aircraft flies two missions a day in the Northern Hemisphere and one each day in the Southern Hemisphere.

Long-Range Communication Experiment:

American and Australian scientists are to carry out a joint experiment 111 with very long-range radio communication, using the ionosphere as a transmission duct.

The experiment, which has just commenced, will be conducted by a team of scientists from the Department of Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL), Salisbury, South Australia, and the Stanford Research Institute (SRI), California.

The experiment will introduce new techniques for radio communication. The normal technique for high-frequency (HF) communication uses the ionosphere to reflect radio waves to Earth, permitting transmission beyond the horizon.

In the proposed experiment, high-frequency radio waves will be injected into the ionosphere and will be confined there as they travel toward a receiving station.

At a point near the receiving station, the ionosphere will be disturbed artificially to deflect the radio waves downward to the receiving station.

The ionospheric disturbance will be created by directing an extremely powerful beam of radio energy vertically from a ground-based transmitter.

The ultimate aim is reliable communication over many thousands of kilometres.

At the Australian end, SRI will provide the transmitter and the antenna to be operated by ERL from Salisbury.

At the American end, SRI will generate the ionospheric disturbance from a transmitter at Platteville, Colorado, and will receive the Australian signals at Lost Hills, California.

The experiment will provide a valuable opportunity for Australian defence scientists to work with scientists from SRI, who are the leaders in American ionospheric research.

Anti Radar Drone Looks Good:

The United States Air Force Aeronautical Systems Division is well underway in the development program for its expendable low-cost harassment drone. The object of the drone would be to loiter under its own control either above or below the common altitude used by tactical aircraft. As soon as an emission from. in enemy radar was, Lockheed onto the drone would attack the energy source thereby destroying the radar unit and whatever type of weapon it was teamed with. The plan would be to launch several thousand of these drones in the event of a Warpac surge across Europe thereby denying those forces their normal radar utilisation. The development program has so far indicated the satisfactory use of commercially available items such as small low-powered motors, wooden propellers and a “Fuzz Buster” radar warning set normally used by motorists to avoid police radar traps. Use of commercially available products have greatly kept the design within budget and will ultimately lead to a whole new generation of inexpensive radar suppression attack drones.

US Pioneers Forward-Sweep Fighters:

Grumman, General Dynamics and Rockwell International have spent the past 18 months developing concepts for a forward-swept wing fighter. By replacing traditional aluminium with advanced composite materials aircraft designers will at last be able to build supersonic fighters with a high angle of forward wing sweep. Advantages so far established through extensive wind tunnel testing have indicated that forward sweep beyond 15 degrees allows the aircraft to generate significantly higher lift over drag in manoeuvring flight, enjoy a lower drag trim thereby increasing supersonic range, allow lower stall speeds, virtually eliminate spin and greatly improve low-speed handling characteristics. Forward sweep is not new, in fact, Nazi Germany developed the JU287 four-jet bomber with forward-swept wings back in the closing days of WW2 though the aircraft never achieved production.

Alpha Jet Wins Nigerian Order:

Against competition from Czechoslovakia’s Aero l3 9 and Britain’s BAe Hawk, Dornier/Dassault-Breguet has won an $80 million contract to equip the Nigerian Air Force with 12 Alpha Jets. The sale is the fourth Alpha Jet sale in Africa. So eight nations have ordered a total of 486 Alpha Jets including 200 each for France and Germany. Egypt has also signed a memorandum of understanding covering the licence production of 160 aircraft.

F-16 Tests Laser Capability:

A single-seat F-16 fighter prototype equipped with an ATLIS II guidance system has scored hits on ground targets with laser-guided bombs during an industry-sponsored precision strike test program. During the course of a 46-flight program, the US Air Force/General Dynamics’ F-16 prototype became the first single-place fighter to achieve accurate, unassisted deliveries of laser-guided weapons. The Automatic Tracking Laser Illumination System (ATLIS) is equipped with TV system that tracks the target automatically after designation by the pilot, and a laser target illuminator that guides weapons to the objective with deadly precision. The successful tests flown from Edwards AFB, California, demonstrate the single-seat F-16’s capability as a self-sufficient precision strike fighter. Significant groundwork preceded the fli_ght test phase of the program, including wind tunnel tests, simulation studies, software development aircraft modifications and integration of the Martin Marietta ATLIS II pod with the F-16’s avionics system.

During the F-16 precision strike program, General Dynamics Engineering Test Pilot David Palmer utilized an ATLIS II pod mounted on the lower right side of the F- 16’s air inlet.

The ATLIS system typically tracked targets to impact. For the first precision-guided delivery, the GBU-10 laser-guided weapon was released automatically from an altitude of 5000 feet while the F-16 prototype was travelling 480 nautical miles an hour. The pilot made a 4g turn after weapon separation. The GBU-10 followed a laser beam to the target Pilots of previous-generation fighters have had their hands full flying these aircraft and operating conventional weapons systems. Thus, they’ve had to depend upon a co-pilot or ground assistance to deliver precision-guided weapons. The F-16’s electronic, computer-directed flight control and weapons systems enable a pilot to handle a complex, demanding workload with ease. With the ATLIS II pod, which can be easily integrated with the F-16’s multiplex avionics system, the F-16 is quickly adapted for the critical precision strike role.

The F-16 precision strike program also involved the delivery of GBU-16 laser-guided bombs, employing US Air Force delivery tactics. Other aspects of the program focused on the use of the ATLIS II in the air-to-air mode, simulated delivery of laser-guided Sabre missiles, and use of a helmet-mounted sight as an additional cueing device in air-toair and air-to-surface operations.

Five companies have contributed to the precision strike joint test program:

• General Dynamics leased the prototype F-16 from Air Force and installed the sensors required for the test program.
• The ATLIS 11 electro-optical pod was supplied by Martin Marietta Corporation.
• Texas Instruments provided laser guidance kits for the weapons.
• British Aircraft Corporation provided support for the flight demonstration program and furnished technical data and launch algorithms for its Sabre antiarmour laser-guided missiles.
• A helmet-mounted sight system was provided by Polhemus Navigation Sciences, Inc.

F-16, F -18 Market Battle Continues:

It seems that every Western nation currently in the throes of purchasing new fighter aircraft have got their short lists down to the GD F-16 and the two F-18 variants. Spain is the latest to join the sales battle with a total requirement for up to 140 aircraft, it has officially short-listed the F16, the Northrop F18L and the McDonnell Douglas F18A. The winning aircraft is expected to be selected by the end of this year, eliminated from the race were the F14, F15 and the FSE.

Raf Short on Expertise:

Long overdue improvements are being made to the service conditions and pay structure for aircrew, engineers and ground crew in the Royal Air Force. Recently introduced short service commissions have helped stem the resignation rate of trained personnel while despite an increase in recruitment it will still be several years before overall operational strength is sufficient to meet a high level crisis.

Top Award for Raaf Base:

The retiring Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sir James Rowland, presented th<‘ Hawker Siddeley Trophy, awarded annually to the most efficient Air Force base, to RAAF Base Townsville during his visit to the base in March.

The trophy was presented to the RAAF in 1971 by the Hawker Siddeley Group to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the formation of the RAAF, and to mark the close association of the de Havilland and Hawker organisations with the Air Force.

RAAF Townsville was judged the winner for 1978, based on a points score covering efficiency in role and administration, and dress, bearing and morale of personnel.

Air Superiority Phantom:

McDonnell Douglas is evaluating a possible new version of the F4 Phantom 11 fighter designed solely for high-performance defence and interception.

Designated the F-4T, this new member of the Phantom family would resemble the F currently in production, but it would have much-improved air-to-air performance and no-strike or bombing capability, the company said.

F-4T Phantoms could carry six radar-guided AIM-7 Sparrow missiles and a millimeter cannon, or four Sparrows and four heat-seeking sidewinder missiles plus the cannon.

In addition, the aircraft would employ digital computers to define missle-launched parameters. This capability, coupled with additional Sparrows, increases the probability of successful aerial combat engagement, McDonnell Douglas said.

Missing from the F-4T would be such F features as weapons delivery equations and ballistics tables in the inertial navigation system software, air-to-ground weapon delivery functions in the forward cock weapon delivery mode select switch, and an air-to-ground radar-ranging output in t radar circuitry.

Removing these systems and adding high performance air combat features would make the F4T an exceptionally capable and superior fighter and interceptor, the company said.

In the 20-plus years the Phantom has been in production, 14 models have been built. Production continues in St Louis for Greece, The Republic of Korea, and Turkey, and production in Japan for that nation’s airforce and defence force. More than 5000 of the Mach 2-plus, all-weather aircraft have been delivered.

Japanese Acquire Bell Ah-1s for Flight & Evaluation Tests:

A Bell AH-1S anti-armour helicopter has been shipped to Japan for ground run and flight evaluation tests by the Japanese Defence Agency.

The aircraft, which incorporates the TOW missile system, will be evaluated for potential multi-unit procurement by the Group Self-Defence Force.

A second AH-15 helicopter is scheduled to be delivered early in 1980. The aircraft were ordered through Mitsui & Co., a Helicopter Textron licensee.

Following preliminary tests, plans call for the first AH-1 S to be turned over to the Defence Agency in June for full-operational tests.

The AH-1S is the US Army’s most modern anti-armour helicopter. In addition to the TOW missile system, this improved version of the HueyCobra utilizes an upgraded Lycoming T53-L-703 engine rated at 1 SHP and an uprated drive train. Other improvements include a flat plate canopy reduction of sun glint and a cockpit optimized for nap-of-the-earth flight.

Bell is currently working under a contract with the US Army to build 297 new helicopters. The company has also modified 372 AH-1G models to the AH-1S configuration.

Bell has produced more than 1500 helicopters and is the only manufacturer in the free world to build product helicopters dedicated to the anti-armor role.