Newsdesk – General Aviation

Lear Fan Shape Up:

The new owners of Lear Fan, Fan Holdings, are placing a maximum emphasis on obtaining FAA and CAA certification for the revolutionary Learavia 2100. More than half of the Northern Ireland workforce has been placed on a four-day week as the new company reduces overheads in a battle to survive. Fan Holdings has solid backing now with the infusion of $90 million from US and Saudi sources plus an additional $30 million from the UK Government. While it is now Hughes distributorship prior to taking on the Aerospatiale range of helicopters which similarly relinquished by Ansett General Aviation following the takeover of that company by TNT and News Ltd.

Dates for Implementation of Sal Requirements Put Back:

Following on the decision to defer the introduction of the new flight crew requirements for SAL operations from 1 April 1983 to 1 July 1983, the Department of Aviation has also advised that the effective date for implementation of Proposal 3 (Maintenance Requirements) has been deferred from 1 February 1983 to 1 August 1983.

Bellanca Production Resumes:

B & 8 Aviation of Houston, Texas has purchased manufacturing rights from the defunct Bellanca Aircraft Corporation to manufacture the Scout, Decathlon and Citabria range of high-wing GA aircraft. Production commenced late 1982. It is anticipated that true long-term breakeven would not be reached till at least 1000 aircraft are sold, Fan Holdings see a big future for the project as there are still effectively 276 deposit-backed firm orders. FAA certification is planned for October this year and the first production examples will begin to roll off the Belfast assembly lines through mid-1983.

Aircraft Registrations:

Figures released by the DofA covering 1981/82 show that there was a total of 496 amateur-built projects under way as at June 30, 1982. Similarly, there were 958 aircraft in the glider/sailplane fleet including 23 powered aircraft. Through 1981182 new aircraft registrations totalled onty 412 as against 404 for the previous year and 607 for 1979/80. Compared with 1979/80, single-engined piston aircraft registrations virtually halved, multi-engined piston aircraft remained static and turbojet-powered aircraft almost trebled. Turbine helicopter registrations in the period dropped slightly from 34 to 27 while the piston helicopter market was saved by the Robinson R.22 though this sector still declined from 31 to 23 units. The complete DofA Aircraft Register (excluding 1st and 2nd level airliners) can be found in our special GA annual, Airshow 83, which will remain on news agency sale till late April.

Cessna Introduces Cargo Door Option for Crusader:

A new cargo door option that will provide additional cabin volume and loading flexibility is now available for the Cessna Crusader.

The cargo door, located aft of the air-stair door, is 31.5 inches wide and 34 inches high. In conjunction with the air-stair door, the cargo door provides access to the crusader’s cabin through an opening 56 inches wide by 43 inches high.

The lightweight installation increases the Crusader’s cabin length by 6.5 inches and adds nearly four cubic feet of extra volume while adding just 19.5 pounds to the aircraft’s gross weight.

McDonnell Douglas has delivered 12 KC-1Os to the AirForce, and four more are in production and scheduled for delivery in 1983. The current Air Force Schedule calls for the delivery of four additional planes in 1983, eight in 1984, eleven in 1985, twelve in 1986 and nine in 1987, making a total of 60 aircraft.

The KC-10s first entered the Air Force inventory in March, 1981. In a noteworthy mission in October, the KC-10 helped six F-15s fly non-stop from Okinawa in the Pacific to Florida, a distance of more than 8100 miles. During the 14.7-hour mission, the KC-10 not only refuelled the fighters, but carried the fighters/support personnel and support equipment. It also acted as a pathfinder aircraft on the mission.

That mission was carried out with two KC-10s and 4 KC-135s. Without the use of the KC-10s, the same mission would have required the use of seven additional KC-135s, an EC-135 for pathfinder use, and Autumn is certainly ·the ‘time for major airshows in eastern Australia. The two biggest, Schofields and Mangalore, are shaping up as don’t-miss events. Schofields runs from Friday 18th March through to Monday 21st with Friday and Monday being trade days. Mangalore runs through the Easter weekend and this year will feature a fly past of a USAF B-52 Stratofortress in addition to a large number of other types. The Sports Aircraft Association of Australia sponsored Mangalore airshow will feature the largest number of ultralights and amateur-builds (sort of a mini Oshkosh) in Australia, including the first presentation of the radical Quickie Q2.

New Approach to PPL Training:

Are the current generation of 152s, Tomahawks and Skippers too sophisticated for their own good as trainers? The Federation Nationale Aeronautique (FNA) think so and has commissioned French light aircraft manufacturer, Robin, to design an all-new concept light trainer that will cut the cost of getting a PPL by half. The Robin ATL Super Club is much smaller than a Tomahawk and is powered by a three-cylinder two-cycle radial engine burning mogas at the rate of a mere 2 mph The 60 hp engine provides a maximum speed of 196 kph, an endurance of just on seven hours and a maximum range of 1058 km at 182 kph The Super Club needs a mere 100 metres to get airborne and will have a maximum takeoff weight of 450 kg. Robin are currently test-flying the prototype, which will be displayed at the 1983 Pans Air Show and will begin production deliveries early next year No doubt we all agree that if the average cost of obtaining a PPL could be reduced from its present $3000 to around $2000 or less a lot more people would take up the challenge of learning to fly.

Flying School Becomes Aeroplane Distributor:

It is usually the case that an aircraft distributor may seek to acquire or start its own flying school It is seldom the case that a flying school will take on a distributorship for its aeroplane type. The exception to the general rule is now happening here in Australia, and hopefully, it will bring with it a new concept in aeroplane marketing.

The Australian Flying Training School became the Australian and Papua New Guinea distributor for the Aerospatiale range of light aircraft in January 1983. These French-manufactured aircraft, the Tobago, Tampico and Trinidad, will be marketed by the AFTS subsidiary company, namely. Flight Safety Products Pty Ltd. In addition to these three types, a new 161 hp, constant speed propeller version is specially built for the Australian distributor. It is to be called the Taralga, an aboriginal word meaning ‘native companion’, Taralga also happens to be a small town in New South Wales and this name was felt to be more appropriate for an aeroplane being manufactured specifically for Australian conditions, than the name of another island in the West Indies.

The marketing strategy to be adopted by Flight Safety Products is quite unique. Regardless of the licence status or the flying experience of the purchaser, each new or used Aerospatiale aeroplane will be sold with the condition that will entitle the private owner to flying and ground tuition at no cost for a period of twelve months. AFTS is in a good position to provide this valuable service at a professional level and it can do so to whatever licence or instrument rating standard is required Barney Fernandes says – ‘even if itis just consolidation or continuation training after PPL, I will be most happy if my offer 1s fully utllised and I am even prepared to give slow learners more time If necessary. Just so long as all those who purchase the Aerospatiale product can fly the aeroplane safely, with knowledge and good sense’. This initiative is not intended as a sales gimmick – it is a generous offer, the cost of which will come out of the distributor’s profit margin

Barney Fernandes feels that people who sell aeroplanes should have a moral obligation not only to support the product technically, but also to support the pilot who flies it! This is certainly a marketing strategy which should undoubtedly contribute towards improving our flight safety status in General Aviation.

Scruse Air Change Ownership:

New World Aviation have purchased the Sydney-based Scruse Air helicopter charter and commuter operations following the retirement of Joe Scruse. The pioneer of Australian urban helicopter commuter operations will continue to operate its Bell Jetrangers on the thrice daily weekday service linking Sydney and Newcastle New World Aviation also operate an Aerospatiale AS355F Twin Squirrel but will not run this aircraft on commuter operations till approval is given by the DofA for APT operations out of Sydney’s Darling Harbour heliport. The company eventually sees a capability for importation of much larger helicopters for Sydney/Newcastle and is looking eventually at the proposed civil versions of the Westland/Agusta EH-101

Beech to Increase Production:

Beechcraft announced in January that, on a gradual basis over the next 12 months, it will be increasing production of its King Air models by 37 per cent, Barons by 38 per cent and Bonanzas by 37 per cent beyond the number originally planned for the year.

The increases will be small and incremental throughout the year, with the stepped-up production programme planned to be completed by the end of December

They will be in addition to the 20 per cent increase in King Air production initiated last October, and the 40 per cent increase in Bonanza production begun in November

Further Drop in AVGAS Sales:

Sales of avgas fell by 5 3% in the first nine months of 1982 compared to the sale period of 1981 However, sales of after increased by 4 3% for the corresponding period.

Learjet Changes Philosophy:

Gates Learjet, with two-thirds of its peak workforce currently retrenched, is looking beyond the traditional Learjet market as it ponders its corporate future for the remainder of the decade. Already under active consideration is Gates Learjet performing refurbishing of aircraft at the Davis Monthan aircraft storage and disposition centre. The Tucson Learjet facility is virtually alongside the vast US base and would provide the facility with a considerable long-term workload. Also under consideration is Learjet acting on behalf of Boeing in converting that company’s jet transports to corporate specifications. At the time of writing the entire 20/30 production line was closed and moves for a four-day week at both the Tucson and Wichita factories were being considered.

CAA Clears More Types for Mogas:

The British CAA has so far listed 152 aircraft types for using mogas in place of avgas. Of interest to Australia are aircraft powered by the Continental C85, C90, O-200-A, O-300D/C, GO-300 and O-470L This group includes aircraft such as the Aeronca Chief 11C, the Cessna 172E and the 180 Aircraft powered by the Lycoming O-235-L2, O-235C, O-290 and 0-320 variants also can use mogas. This group provides the most interest to local operators and includes the Cessna 152, 172M, 172P, 177, the Piper Tomahawk, Colt, Cub, TriPacer and various Cherokee variants. The first twin to be certified for mogas is the Grumman Cougar while the first helicopter destined for the same honour is Robinson’s R.22 which should make a lot of cattle musterers happy.

New Hughes Distributor:

Camden-based Crowley Airways has become the official distributor for Hughes helicopters in Australia and New Guinea. Crowley Airways will again be marketing the established Hughes models 300C, the 500D and will soon take delivery of the up-rated 530E. Rex Aviation of Bankstown formerly held the Hughes distributorship prior to taking on the Aerospatiale range of helicopters which similarly was relinquished by Ansett General Aviation following the takeover of that company by TNT and News Ltd.

Dates for Implementation of Sal Requirements Put Back:

Following on the decision to defer the introduction of the new flight crew requirements for SAL operations from 1 April 1983 to 1 July 1983, the Department of Aviation has also advised that the effective date for implementation of Proposal 3 (Maintenance Requirements) has been deferred from 1 February 1983 to 1 August 1983.

Bellanca Production Resumes:

B & B Aviation of Houston, Texas have purchased manufacturing rights from the defunct Bellanca Aircraft Corporation to manufacture the Scout, Decathlon and Citabria range of high-wing GA aircraft. Production commenced late in 1982 from the Houston-based group though B & B have emphasised that the programme will remain a low-key operation for the foreseeable future.

US Regionals Boom:

Regional airlines by the US description incorporate carriers that we would term second level. The largest US regionals operate 737 and DC-9 jets as against the bigger Australian regional airline that operates Bandeirantes or Twin Otters. Despite the recession though, US regionals are booming and look set to post a 17% increase in traffic over 1981. For 1982, American regionals carried just over 20 million passengers which is almost double the total number of passengers carried domestically by Australian second and third-level operators.

The Co-pilot:

Thought you might like this handy item of poetry found by Australian Aviation’s Robert Bell during his travels. I am the co-pilot, I sit on the right, It’s up to me to be quick and bright, I never talk back, for I have regrets,

But I have to remember what the Captain forgets.

I make out the flight plan and study the weather, Pull up the gear, stand by to feather, Make out the mail forms, and do the reporting.

And fly the old crate while the Captain is courting.

I take the readings, adjust the power, Put on the heaters when we’re in a shower, Tell him where we are on the darkest night, And do all the bookwork without any light.

I call for my Captain and buy him cokes, I always laugh at his corny jokes, And once in a while, when his landings are rusty, I always come through with ‘By gosh, it’s gusty!” All in all, I’m a general stooge, As I sit on the right of the man I call SCROOGE.

I guess you think that is past understanding.

he will give me But maybe someday a landing!