Newsdesk- General Aviation

General Aviation aircraft are not novelties – they are necessities. Like the computer in the 1960s, General Aviation aircraft in the 1970s and ’80s have provided a vital and growing contribution to our overall transport needs.

Sydney-based Commuter Expands:

Davey Air Services have merged with Aviation Developments (which bought Advance Airlines earlier this year). AvDev executive director, Eric Andrews, says the two airlines ultimately will operate under the name AvDev Airlines of Australia. Bill Davey re- mains with the merged operation as General Manager, New South Wales. The company has added Newcastle to Lord Howe Island to its route network,

Garrett Boost Local Support:

Formation of Garrett Australia to provide increased support for customers in the region is planned by the Garrett Corporation, a leading US manufacturer of turboprop and turbofan propulsion engines for general aviation, executive aircraft and commuter airline trans-ports.

According to Robert Curry, Garrett Vice-President, the increase in a number of Garrett engines and aircraft systems in the region requires strengthening of customer support operations in Australia.

The new organisation will be headed by a full-time regional customer support director, Ron Gartenschlaeger, and includes an increase in local field service staff, as well as the addition of inventory management staff. Plans also include an Australian engine overhaul and repair facility, along with an additional authorised service centre to provide routine maintenance for Garrett customers.

The program, according to Curry, will provide faster and more effective communications in providing service to operators of Garrett equipment, and locally carried inventory will enable the company to facilitate service.

Garrett manufactures the TFE731 turbofan engine, currently used on such business jets as the Westwind, Learjet, Falcon, HS-125, Sabreliner, and Lockheed Jetstar. Garrett’s TPE331 turboprop engine, is now in use on Swearingen Merlins and the Metro commuter, Cessna Conquest, Beech King Air, CASA 2128, Shorts Skyvans, MU-28, and the Gulf- stream American Turbocommanders. It has also been selected for use on Scottish Aviation Jetstream 31 and Dornier DO-228.

In addition, Garrett manufactures a wide range of other aerospace products. The components for its environmental control systems, auxiliary power units, and electronic, electro-pneumatic and pneumatic control systems which are used in commuter and general aviation aircraft will also be supported by the Garrett Australia operations.

Air-AG Activity Drops:

Activity in the aerial agricultural industry has fallen sharply. Figures released last month by the Department of Transport show that productive hours flown in aerial agricultural operations to the year ended March 31 fell by 221⁄2 per cent to 98,713 hours. This compares with 127,255 hours flown the previous year. The total area treated was 4. 8 million hectares a drop of 30 per cent on the previous year. More than 2. 7 million hectares were top-dressed and seeded; over 2 million hectares were sprayed and 680,000 hectares were treated for pest and disease control.

Sydney Airport Row Worsens:

The row between the Commonwealth and NSW Governments over the future of Sydney Airport has grown worse. NSW Premier Wran recently vetoed the idea of a 4000 m close-spaced parallel runway at the airport. The new runway has been proposed by the Commonwealth Government. It would project into Botany Bay parallel to the existing 16/34 runway, take six to seven years to build and cost approximately $600m at today’s prices.

While the politicians continue to wrangle, GAA operators at the airport are considering other proposals that could ease the growing congestion problems and which might be acceptable to both Governments. One of these involves the construction of a low-cost, light-duty runway parallel to, and south of, the existing 07/25 runway.

No reclamation of Botany Bay would be involved and the new runway could be used for the majority of general aviation movements. GA operators say that the new runway with its own ILS, NDB and separate approach path could substantially increase the capacity of the airport. However, they suggest also that this could be supplemented by changes to ATC procedures, regulations and airspace restrictions around the airport.

Pilot Licences Up:

There were 53,475 pilot licences current at December 31, 1980, according to figures just released by Transport Australia. This is a rise of more than 59 per cent in the past five years. The figure, however, does NOT represent the actual number of licensed pilots in Australia as some hold more than one category of licence (eg, aeroplane and helicopter) or more than one class of licence in the same category (eg, senior commercial and 2nd class ATP).

Aeroplane pilot licences totalled 52. 451 and comprised: Student 20,471; private 23,865: commercial 4466; senior commercial 1340; ATP (2nd class) 1210; and ATP (1st class) 1099. Helicopter pilot licences totalled 934 and comprised: Student 335; private 63; commercial 451; and senior commercial 85. In addition, there were 720 current flight engineers’ licences and a diminishing group of 17 who still hold a flight navigator’s licence. Other significant points that emerge from the figures include:

• The number of first issued aeroplane pilot licences for students and private pilots continued to fall-probably reflecting the increasing cost of flying.
• The total of first issued aeroplane pilot licences during 1980 was the lowest for five years.
• The number of first-issue helicopter pilot licences, however, reflected the rapid growth in helicopter activity the 248 licences issued during the year being more than four times the number issued in 1976.

Long-Legged Citation:

Cessna has decided to produce only one version of the Citation III corporate jet. This decision follows advice from the FAA to reduce the size of the long-range fuel tank to comply with FAA fire hazard regulations. The Citation III, of which 140 have already been ordered, will now have a range of 2500nm with six passengers and normal reserves.

US GA Purchases Down 20%:

Deliveries of GA aircraft in the US were down 20 per cent for the first six months of 1981 as against the same period last year. At the same time though billings were up some 20 per cent reflecting the ongoing trend to the higher-priced corporate turbine and turbofan-powered aircraft. Single-engine deliveries were down 24 per cent while the sale of agricultural aircraft also plummeted by 18 per cent.

Commuter Update:

Jack Masling has sold his two commuter airline companies, AeroPelican and Masling Airlines, to TNT for approximately $14m. In the deal, TNT gets four Twin Otters (including three new 300 Series delivered only last month), four Ban- deirantes and three Queenairs. Not included is Masling’s other company, Jakair, which holds the Australian distributorship for the Bandeirante.

Jet Charter has bought Clubair which operates Nomads between Maitland and Sydney. Former Clubair owner Graham Swanson will stay on as manager. Jet Charter’s Director of Operations, Captain Michael Condon, said the company planned to put the Shorts 330 on the route as soon as Maitland airport was licensed. Jet Charter has two 330s with two more to come later this year. It also took delivery of its fourth Westwind last month- these are being used on TNT Courier flights throughout Australia. A third development is Jet Charter’s recent appointment as a major service centre for Garrett Engines. Aviation Developments and Davey Air Services are discussing a possible merger. Bill Davey will stay on as part of the new combination. Davey Air Services operates two Bandeirantes between Sydney and western NSW. AvDev operates two Kingairs between Sydney. Lord Howe, Toowoomba, Gunnedah, Oakey.

Packer Buys Into Stillwell:

Media tycoon Kerry Packer has bought 19 per cent of the shares in Stillwell Aviation and upgraded his secondhand Learjet 35 to a new model. Principal shareholders in Stillwell are now: Narich Pty Ltd, Aviation Developments (AvDev), East-West Airlines, Packer’s Publishing and Broadcasting Corporation and David Crompton. A small percentage of shares is also held by various Stillwell employees.

Thunder in the Air:

In this age of fuel frugality and weight consciousness it is surprising to find a company marketing a 700 lb VB car engine for use in place of small turbines. Just such a company is Thunder Aircraft Engines which has developed a variant of a 7-litre V8 Chevrolet engine utilising components derived from motor racing experience for added reliability and turbocharging for performance. Testing has taken place on a converted Shrike Commander for the past two years with excellent results. Thunder claims that if fitted to a stock Rockwell 840 (in place of Garretts) the 700 bhp engines would save over 40,000 gallons of fuel each 2000 hrs of operation. Thunder claim that the added reliability of the hand-built engines, the use of mogas and the relatively low initial cost make a potential market for such an engine assured.

New Piper Division Dedicated to Commuter Airline Business:

Piper has announced the formation of an Airline Division and a T-1000 system that is totally dedicated to the commuter or regional transportation business.

Piper have released details of the development of two new aircraft designed specifically for commuter use. The T-1020 is derived from Piper’s Navajo Chieftain and is piston-powered; the T-1040 is a prop jet and can trace its heritage to the family of Piper Cheyenne aircraft.

The T-1020 has an 11-seat configuration and can operate with two pilots and still have the capacity for nine passengers. The T-1020 offers a proven combination of airframe, engines and systems. Initial deliveries of the T-1020 are scheduled for November.

The turboprop T-1040 combines the rugged fuselage of the Chieftain with the wing, engines, nose and tail assembly of the Cheyenne 1. The combination provides the commuter operator with a cost-effective, nine-passenger, two-crew, turbine-powered commuter with proven components and systems. It will be available for about half the price of a Beech C-99.

Delivery of the first T-1040 is expected in the second quarter of 1982.

Jetstream Takes Off:

BAe are busy notching orders for their Jetstream 31 commu- ter/corporate twin. The type looks set for good sales in North America where Mall Airways of New York and Contactair of Germany have ordered a total of six aircraft, a good start as commuter sales never come in the Delta class. BAe announced that the first production 31 will fly early next year with initial customer deliveries commencing by August 1982.

Cessna Sets Industry Record With 26 Citation Deliveries in June:

Cessna Aircraft Company established an all-time industry record by delivering 26 Citation business jets in June.

Included in the record-breaking total were the 600th Citation I and the 300th Citation II delivered since Cessna introduced the Cita- tion series in 1972.

Orders have been received for Citation I and li production through 1982. In addition, more than 140 orders have been received for the advanced Citation III scheduled for certification in April. Deliveries of this all-new intercontinental fanjet will begin in late 1982. The order backlog for all Citation models is in excess of $1. 4 billion.

Chinese Citations:

The first business jets ever purchased by the People’s Republic of China will be Citation II fanjets from Cessna Aircraft Company.

Three Citation Ils will be delivered to the China National Aero Technology Import and Export Corporation between January and April of 1982.

“The three Citations will perform several different missions in China,” said J. Derek Vaughan, senior vice president and general manager of Cessna’s Commercial Jet Marketing Division.

“The first aircraft will be used for flight inspection and calibration of air navigational aids including instrument landing systems, ground radar installations and non-directional beacons,” said Vaughan. “This aircraft will assist the Chinese in developing their airways systems to meet the needs of expanding airline operations in the country,”

Vaughan said the second Citation II will be equipped with provisions for the installation of aerial photography equipment that will be used for topographical mapping and surveys. The third Citation will be delivered in a standard passenger-carrying configuration.

Dorniers About to Enter Service:

Norving Flyservice, a Norwegian com- muter operator will be the first operator of Domier’s new generation of commuter aircraft. The DO 228-100 will enter service in December. At mid-August, confirmed orders for both the 100 and 200 Series DO 228 stood at 31 with a further 83 aircraft on option. Australia will see its first DO 228 when local distributors Jet Charterers import a demonstration aircraft which may see later service on Clubair services out of Sydney.

Solar Challenger Proves Viable:

The Channel-hopping Solar Challenger, the world’s first solar-powered aircraft has recently attained altitudes in excess of 14,000 ft and completed flights lasting as long as nine hours. At present, the Challenger uses “discarded” solar cells rejected from the Space Shuttle program as being too heavy and underpowered. It is thus planned to build the follow-on aircraft in the Solar Challenger project using more powerful and lighter cells to power a more powerful electric motor. Sponsors of the project hope that by 1995 there will exist the technology to market two-seat solar-powered aircraft capable of cruising at 80/90 kts using only the power of the sun’s rays as fuel. While this is not exactly in your corporate Learjet class, it certainly will appeal to a lot of people interested in flying for pleasure or over relatively short distances.

More Muscle for Longranger:

Bell is to develop a more powerful version of the successful Longranger helo. The new model will be designated Longranger IV and will be powered by an Allison 250-C30 providing 650shp. The MKIV will have a maximum gross weight of 4800 lb and will be using the new Bell four-blade rotor, something that is tipped to be a standard feature of future light Bell helos. The new model will be developed in conjunction with Bell’s US Army Near Term Scout (see June ’81 Newsdesk) project and will be available for commercial delivery in early 1984.

Shorts Not Short on Sales:

At the time of writing Shorts had notched 21 sales for their new 360 36-seat airliner. The prototype has already logged more than 30 hours of flight time and certification is expected for October 1982 with initial customer deliveries commencing one month later. Meanwhile, Shorts are building two 330s a month, 94 of the 30-seat 330s had been sold at August 1981 while the established Skyvan remains in production having to date achieved 138 sales.