General Aviation

Life Improves at Cessna:

Slowly emerging from the doldrums of 1983, Cessna have reinstated production of the piston-engined 340, 404, 414 and 421 models after production of these aircraft was suspended in mid 1982. Cessna foresees an improving market through 1984 though expect it to be 1985/86 before any significant increases in production occur. Cessna currently employs 3000 more people than they did at this time in 1983.

Beech Have a Better 1983:

Beechcraft increased their earnings during 1983 from $US568 million to $US642 million, while at the same time only producing 402 aircraft as against 526 built during 1982. This reflects a higher ratio of high-value turboprop sales at the expense of the smaller piston-powered twins and singles. Despite the increase in earnings, 1983 was an expensive year for Beech in terms of development costs. The company had invested heavily in the development of several new types including the Starship, 38P Lightning. Super King Air 300 and the 1900 Airliner. The revolutionary Starship is slated for FAA Certification late in 1985 while the six-seat single turbine-engined Lightning is due to receive Certification later this year. The 1900 Airliner is already in commuter service and the Model 300 Super King Air is now fully Certificated and in production, having replaced the Model 200. Beech also was one of the very few US, indeed international, aerospace companies to actually increase staff levels during 1983, having closed the year with 9300 employees as against 7800 the year before.

A Golden Opportunity to Voice Your Views on the GA Environment in the Sydney Region:

We all have had our gripes about the situation GA often finds itself in the Sydney region, so don’t forget that the newly launched DofAinquiry into these problems is also seeking your opinion. The committee undertaking the study comprises representatives of the DofA, Department of Defence, the NSW Department of Environment and Planning, the aviation industry and the Local Government Association of NSW.

The study will principally inquire whether aerodrome facilities are adequate for the long-term GA demand expected in the Sydney region in addition to the extent that urban land adjacent to existing airports is slated for future housing development. Additonally the study will examine the requirements of GA at the proposed second major airport site. The committee will be assisted by a firm of consultants, Beca Orr Transplant, and any submissions can be channelled to the Committee via the PR department of DofA, Goulburn Street, Sydney 2000.

Robin Trainer Sales Taking Off:

Sales of the immaculate Robin R2160 two-place trainer are beginning to take off. There are currently seven such aircraft on the register and distributors, Paxford Aviation of Bankstown, hope to increase this number into the double figures by year end. The beauty of the $68,000 Robin is that it is not only fully aerobatic but also with 160 hp is capable of cruising at 131 kts at 75% power, allowing it to perform roles other than mere training. Additionally, the increased power-to-weight ratio allows IFR training that is difficult to achieve in the regular 115 hp type two-seaters. The latest batch of Robins are also coming into the system with 165 It tanks allow- ing a six hour endurance which will take the aircraft more than 700 nm

GA Diesel Under Development:

Machen, a small US-based research and development company, is developing a two-stroke, three cylinder turbocharged diesel suitable for General Aviation The in-line engine will weigh 580 lbs dry and develop 650 bhp at take-off RPM of 4800. Major benefits claimed by Machen are a lower fuel burn per horsepower, the ability to use a variety of inexpensive fuels, 3000 hour TBOs, acquisition cost less than half that of a comparable turboprop and small size -Machen can fit the unit in a standard Beech King Air PT6 cowling. Two engines are currently in the demonstrator phase of testing and Machen are hoping to have the engine ready for FAA certification by 1986.

Dornier franchise Goes to Aviation Marketing Services:

The West German Dornier 228 franchise has been transferred from Wings Australia to Aviation Marketing Services, a division of Moorabbin-based Schutt Aviation. The 228 is an unpressurised 15/19 seat commuter airliner featuring the latest in advanced technology to provide a relatively high cruise speed with extreme fuel efficiency. The 228 has been selling extremely well despite the bleak market situation of recent years and has full CAA, FAA and West German LBA certifications. The type is currently undergoing evaluation for DofA certification and AMS expect their demonstration aircraft to arrive in Australia later this year.

Challenger Programme to Continue:

Canadair, despite record losses in the past two years, are to continue with the Challenger corporate jet programme Canadair recently delivered the 100th Challenger, a 601, to General Electric which makes it that company’s fourth aircraft of the type. To date 21 GE-powered 601s have been delivered while virtually all future orders will be for the more powerful and fuel-efficient 601 rather than the Avco Lycoming-powered Model 600.

Falcon 50 Awarded Dofa Certification:

The Dassault Falcon 50 executive trijet now has an Australian DotA certificate of air. worthiness. This preceded the delivery of the first Australia-registered Falcon 50 to Skywest for exclusive corporate use last March. The Falcon 50 has achieved strong sales since its introduction in 1977, and during 1983 was Falcon Jet’s best-selling model. At present, more than 140 Falcon 50s are in service worldwide.

 Twinair Expands:

Recently formed Gold Coast charter operator, Twinair, has expanded into training. Though the company recently sold its newly acquired DC-3, VH-UPQ, to Rebel Air it will still be able to hire the aircraft back as required as a part of the terms of sale. Twinair have in the meantime signed orders for two Avions Robin R2860s and have teamed up with Bankstown-based Paxford Aviation in the marketing the two-place Robin and the CGS Hawk ultralight. Twinair will carry out a comprehensive flying training programme including PPL, CPL, Instructor courses, aerobatic courses and multi-engine endorsements Twinair have also taken over Air Golden Eagle (formerly Lanhams Air Taxi Service) and now also have a Cessna 421, a Tiger Moth and a Hughes 300 in the stable. If you are planning a winter escape to the Gold Coast it could also provide an excellent opportunity to learn to fly or upgrade your licence while you are there in relaxed and pleasant surroundings.

Helicopter Association All Go:

The official Helicopter Association of Australia was formally registered on January 4 this year with the first AGM being held to elect office bearers taking place on March 16 President is Peter Vincent (TCN9), Vice President is Leon Kippin (Rex) while Kevin Gosling (Trident Helicopters), Phill Gant (Commercial Aviation) and Dick Smith will be committeemen The objective of the long-needed Association will be to promote the helicopter industry in Australia, to promote and encourage a high standard on integrity within the industry, to establish an exchange of information between local and overseas operators, pilots and engineers and to make representation to government at all levels to secure facilities and to modernise regulations and other legislations for the advancement of the Australian helicopter industry. Interested parties should direct their correspondence to The Secretary, HAA, PO Box 223, Willoughby 2068

Robinson Expand in Australia:

Robinson Helicopter Company, manufacturer of the Robinson R22 Helicopter, is pleased to announce the appointment of Helicopters Brisbane Pty Ltd as its new dealer for Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Helicopters Brisbane Pty Ltd has been authorised for R22 sales, service and maintenance, and has both an engineer and chief flying instructor who have been trained at the Robinson factory in Torrance, California.

The appointment of Helicopters Brisbane as an R22 dealer is part of Robinson’s ongoing programme to improve the service and product support of the R22 helicopter in Australia. It is believed by the manufacturer that the establishment of several qualified Service Centres in strategic locations of Australia will greatly improve the availability and quality of the service and maintenance available for the more than twenty-five R22 helicopters now operating in Australia.

Aerial Agriculture More Hopeful:

Figures released by DofA show a small improvement in hours flown in aerial agriculture in the six months ended September 1983. Reflecting the breaking of the drought in many areas of the country, hours flown in NSW increased by 51% on the same period in 1982 and smaller increases were recorded in Queensland, SA/NT and Western Australia Hours flown in Vic/Tas decreased by 23% however.

Overall, there was an increase of 21% in hours flown Australia-wide and a 54% increase in area treated Activity is still well below the peak of 1980 but continued good seasons could see this sector of the aviation industry return to viable levels

Grumman Looking to Produce Small Amphibian:

Grumman are studying the feasibility of producing a 10-seat amphibian with the Government of Singapore Primary motivation stems from Grumman’s The 1984 Beechcraft King Air C90A features several advances over previous models New cowlings improve aerodynamics allowing a 12 kt improvement in cruise speed to 247 kts The C90A is powered by two flat-rated 550 shp Pratt & Whitney PT6A-21 turboprops and with a5. 0pressurisation differential gives an 8000 ft cabin at a typical cruise altitude of 23,000 ft. More than 1000 King Airs have been built to date offset commitment to the Singaporean government relating to its possible sale of E-2C Hawkeye AEW aircraft and the sale of A-4 Skyhawk fighter bombers in 1982. Application for such a small amphibian in Asia is fairly wide owing to the number of nations in the region with relatively large numbers of islands within their boundaries. If launched, the project effectively take up where the famous Grumman Goose left off back in the fifties.

Rebel Air Expands:

Sydney-based specialist charter operator, Rebel Air, is expanding The innovative airline has just added another DC-3, VH-UPQ, to its fleet and will now base a DC-3 permanently at Essendon (Melbourne office is at 126 Wellington Pde. East Melbourne ph. 419 7700), with the remaining two DC-3s rotated between Sydney and Maitland. Rebel Air are also negotiating the purchase of VH-MMD, formerly owned and operated by Travmar and presently destined for the Sydney Power House Museum. Additionally, the carrier has agreed to greatly assist the Confederate Air Force in restoring VH-CDZ, a DC-2 that has languished for many years at Bankstown aerodrome. Meanwhile, the airline is generating a new livery, currently being carried by flagship PWM, while both MIN and UPQ will be painted when they are next due for repainting.

Cheaper by the Dozen?

It may well be cheaper by the dozen but is it cheaper by the half dozen? Barney Fernandes of the Australian Flying Training School at Bankstown recently sold a Socata Tobago via his Flight Safety Products division to the Monk family of Sydney’s northern beaches Apparently the Monks like doing everything together and so the entire family, two adults and four children, are learning to fly By using their own aircraft they will save literally thousands of dollars in addition to amortising the cost of ownership over a greater number of annual flying hours. As a matter of interest, have any flying training schools heard of a larger family group learning at the one time?

Flight Crew Licences Increase Though Growth Retarded in Latest Dofa figures:

Latest Department of Aviation figures pertaining to flight crew licences show a growth from 47,331 licence holders in 1978 to 62,261 in 1983 while the number of first issue licences has dropped dramatically from 10,436 in 1978 to 8244 in 1983 One of the biggest drops in first issue licences was for training and PPL licences, the former dropping from 5967 to 4209 and the latter from 3629 to 2937. In the total number operable though, the figures show an increase for student licences from 18,900 to 22,839 and PPLs from 20,250 to 26,965 Not surprisingly, helicopters reigned supreme with an increase in rotary wing licences from only 651 in 1978 to 1614 in 1983, indicating the enormous growth that has taken place in this field in recent years

Queensland Government Enter the Jet Age:

In what has been a bumper year Down Under for British Aerospace, the Queens-land government has placed a firm order for the first BAe 125-800 to reach our shores. The up- market 125-800 will be delivered this December and will be capable of operating into more than 80% of the strips currently used by the Premier’s King Air 200. The Queensland government air wing presently deploys two King Air 200s, a C. 90, a Cessna 210 Centurion and an Aerospatiale AS350 Squirrel on behalf of the State Emergency Services. The 210, C. 90 and the second King Air 200 are all operated by the Queensland Police Force. The Premier’s Department also has a paid deposit on a Learfan though this aircraft will not enter the fleet till at least 1986.

What About Airtests?

Generally speaking, over the past five years we have run two Airtests each issue. In recent issues, particularly March and December we were a little light on in regard to Airtests. This does not signify a change of policy away from featuring Airtests but is actually a reflection upon the long-term problems affecting the GA scene both here and abroad. The truth is that during the late seventies and early eighties we had new GA singles and twins coming out of the woodwork, while the past eighteen months has ushered in a virtual moratorium on the production of new light singles and twins In fact most of the aircraft we have tested in recent years aren’t even in production any more. This is why there have been fewer Airtests not because we don’t want to bring you Airtests but there has been nothing new to fly. This issue carries the first Airtest in a series of four on new types from Piper. Next issue we hope to feature the exciting Malibu and when available locally we will likewise test the 400 mph cruise Cheyenne IV and Aerostar 700P, the world’s fastest piston twin.

New Avtek Distributor:

Air North Queensland has taken over the distribution rights for the new all-composite Avtek 400 twin– turboprop Headed by well-known aviation identity, Stan Lindgren, Air North Queensland hope to have their first of type in Australia in 1986. The Avtek 400 is an eight-passenger corporate aircraft said to be capable of cruising at up to 360 kts. Power is supplied by two pusher configured Pratt & Whitney PT6s of 680 shp while a canard contributes to a stalling speed of around 77 kts, enhancing short strip capability First flight was scheduled in the course of this issue while FAA Certification is expected through 1985/86.

Mogas on the Way?

The mogas versus avgas situation that exists overseas has largely bypassed Australia primarily due to our large reserves of avgas and the lack of a substantial price difference between the two. The US FAA and the British CAA have gone all out however to certify a large number of aircraft for mogas operation and this naturally has had a flow-on effect in Australia. The DofA has announced that within the next few months an Aviation Regulatory Proposal will be distributed for comment setting out the processes needed to gain approval for the use of mogas in suitable aircraft types. A move in the right direction, as many GA pilots are already using, and have been using, mogas for two years or more In fact at the SAAA Mangalore air show it was interesting to see half the fuel dump devoted to mogas

United States Customs Service Selects Additional Citations for Intercept Missions:

The US Customs Service will increase its fleet of Cessna Citation intercept aircraft to seven with the addition of four Citation IIs.

The new business jets, equipped with sophisticated radar and infrared detection equipment used in intercepting and tracking aircraft flown by drug smugglers, will be delivered over a three-month period beginning in October. They will join three Citations already in the Customs fleet and will be based at several locations across the southern United States.

New General Manager at Awa:

Mister G. R. (Bill) Owen has taken over as General Manager of AWA Leichhardt division. Bill Owen joined AWA in 1960 and will be in charge of AWA’s largest facility, having control of the marine, general aviation, military services, oil communications and operations and the deep space tracking operations that AWA are heavily involved in. General Aviation services include sales and installation of a large range of locally manufactured DME and HF SSB radiate- phones, imported avionics and instrumentation, available from AWA aviation centres at major Australian airports

Cessna Reports Second Quarter, First Half Results:

Cessna reported slightly higher sales in its fiscal second quarter, which ended March 31, compared to the same period a year ago First-half sales were about level with last year, but continuing low aircraft unit volume, increased research and development costs, and extra-ordinary expenditures associated with the startup of new products resulted in losses for both the quarter and first six months Second-quarter sales of $128. 6 million were up from $121. 1 million a year ago. However, a net loss of $11. 5 million increased from a loss of $1. 2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 1983.