Newsdesk – General Aviation

Robinsons Catching Up:

Robinson is catching up on their order backlog for the R.22 light helo. Production is currently running at 12 a month while in their first year in Australia, some 19 R.22s have hit the register. Local distributor, Heliflite, has invested heavily in a large maintenance and sales facility at Baulkham Hills, west of Sydney, and has now been appointed the official Australian Enstrom agent. Heliflite expects their first Enstrom, the new Falcon, to arrive this June.

Aerial Agriculture Drops Again:

Figures released last month by the Department of Transport show that after two years of growth, Australia’s aerial agricultural industry has nosedived again. Productive hours flown by the 112 operators in the year to September last fell to 83,562 – a drop of over 30 per cent compared with the September 1980 total of 120,463 hours.

Wings Australia Order Additional Westwinds:

Wings Australia have decided to replace their existing Citation and Learjet aircraft with the IAI Westwind. Wings Australia Managing Director, John Johnson stated that the Westwind can carry a larger payload further with greater economy and at a realistic purchase price. Wings Australia hope to operate a total of eight Westwinds at which time they will become the largest Westwind fleet operator in the world.

Transavia Airtrucks to China:

Transavia, Australia’s ‘other’ aircraft manufacturer, has completed negotiations on the sale of five Airtruck agricultural aircraft to the People’s Republic of China. This represents a significant breakthrough for Transavia as the total requirement for this type of aircraft in China could run into many hundreds on a joint venture basis. The Airtruck is used worldwide, particularly in South East Asia with about seventeen in operation throughout Australia.

Queensland Outstrips Victoria:

Queensland has replaced Victoria as our second busiest general aviation State. New South Wales remains the busiest with NSW-based operators flying almost 30 per cent of the 1,736,900 hours flown throughout Australia during 1980/81 Hours flown by NSW-based operators were 520,500 while landings totalled 1,053,700.

However, Queensland edged out Victoria for the number two slot. During 1980181, Queensland-based operators flew 389,300 hours and recorded 690,700 landings. The comparative figures for Victoria-based operators were 322,100 hours and 647,400 landings.

Other States in order of activity were WesternAustralia (230,500 hours and310,700 landings); South Australia (139,100 hours and 305,200 landings); Northern Territory (92,100 hours and 106,700 landings); Tasmania (30,300 hours and 66,700 landings) and the Australian Capital Territory (13,100 hours and 25,600 landings).

Growth Forecasts:

DoT estimates that commuter flying will show an average annual growth rate of 3.8 per cent during the 1981/85 period while all other general aviation flying will grow by an annual average of 2.1 per cent Another DoT estimate of interest is the projection for a number of passengers carried by the commuter airlines. The provisional estimate for the current year ending on June 30, is that the commuter industry will carry 817,000 passengers – up from 762,000 last financial year. The estimate for 1982183 is 882,000 passengers.

NBAA for Australia?:

Stillwell Aviation is hoping to launch an association representing local corporate aircraft operators on similar lines to the successful US National Business Aircraft Association. The aims of the local association would be to act as a voice representing the owners of corporate aircraft and Stillwell would withdraw as soon as the initial machinery of the association was rolling. Firms marketing corporate aircraft would not be direct members but would have association affiliation to act as advisers on a consultancy basis in technical matters of operation. One area where the local group could be of benefit is in lobbying for improved access of Sydney and Tullamarine airports at peak times. The first meeting of the embryonic association was held in May and we will keep you informed of the Association’s progress through this magazine.

Big Year for Challengers:

Canadair plans to deliver in excess of 50 Challenger jets this year as production climbs towards five units a month. Aircraft ordered to date total 142, while the Challenger 601 powered by 9140 lb thrust GE CF34 turbofans commences customer deliveries early in 1983.

Helicopter Market Looks Strong:

Detroit Allison, the foremost powerplant supplier to the helicopter industry, sees a big decade ahead for rotary wing operations. Allison estimates that through the nineteen eighties, more than 19,000 helicopters will be built while three-quarters of the market will be for commercial helicopters. This reflects a change in manufacturing emphasis where the sixties and seventies saw the major portion of market share going to satisfy the growing needs of the Vietnam War and then the emerging petrodollar-rich oil states equipping their vast armouries with the latest in Western helicopters. This latter market is largely satisfied nowadays as the market trend is towards the civilian helicopter requirement.

Industry Activity Slumps:

Figures released in March by the Department of Transport show a downturn in the general aviation industry. Two prime indicators of industry activity both showed a fall during 1980/81 – hours flown fell by 1.1 per cent to 1,736,900 after growth rates of 7.5 per cent the previous year and 6.5 per cent in 1978/79 while general aviation landings fell by 2.6 per cent from 3.292.300 to 3.206,600.

Areas where the slump nit were New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania and the ACT. However, general aviation operators picked up in Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Fewer hours were flown in most types of operation including business flying (down 6.5 per cent), training (down 4.3 per cent), charter (down by 0.9 per cent) and test and ferry flying (down 7.3 per cent). The worst hit was aerial agriculture with a disastrous 17.4 slump in hours flown compared with 1979/80. The only bright spots in an otherwise dismal picture were private flying (up 9.9 per cent), aerial work (up 2 3 per cent) and commuter operations (up 5.3 per cent). A copy of the statistics is available from DoT, P.O. Box 367, Canberra.

Stillwell Becomes VP:

Australians pop up left, right and centre as overseas success stories these days and no exception to this rule is Bib Stillwell who has just been elected Vice President of Gates Learjet. For an Australian, or for any non-US citizen to be elected to this prestigious post in one of the world’s most successful aero space companies is indeed a great tribute to that person’s ability. Ten points, Bib

A Grand Finale for the Southern Cross Air Race:

This year’s finish to the Southern Cross Air Race will feature something completely different – an aviation trade fair The fair will feature a wide range of exhibits from corporate jets to ultralights and is timed to open at the completion of the race on 21st November at Moorabbin. Organisers hope for a large public attendance at the three-day fair.

Schofields Every Second Year:

In what seems a smart move, the Schofields Flying Club have decided to hold their popular airshow every two years instead of annually. The strains of putting on a major airshow on an annual basis are difficult for a small club to accommodate and the new format should result in an even better Schofields for 1983. The first of the new format shows will be held on the 18th, 19th and 20th March 1983 and should prove to be a winner.

Big Year for Stillwell Aviation:

Stillwell Aviation of Essendon are set for a big 1982 In all there are nearly two dozen new aircraft being delivered through the year worth in excess of $80 m. Stillwells have just taken delivery of the very first Australian Lear 55 Longhorn with the second due to arrive during the Spring. Eight Learjet 35s will also be delivered during 1982 in addition to ten Swearingen; most of these aircraft are destined for Southeast East Asia Stillwells have also been appointed official agents for the twin-engined Aguata 109 helicopters, a type that could have good offshore and commuter applications in Australia.