Newsdesk – Commercial

Qantas looking to Recruiting more Pilots:

Things are looking up when our national carrier commences an advertising programme to recruit pilots. Qantas commenced the campaign in February and is seeking to fill around 120 positions this year. Qantas SP operations across the Pacific alone will add an additional 3000 hours of operation through 1984/85 without taking into consideration the growth in services that will follow the introduction of 767s in late 1985. The basic qualifications required are: senior CPL status, a minimum of 1000 hours in command, twin-engine endorsement, Australian resident status and a Class 1 Instrument Rating or a Class 2 if the applicant is currently in the employ of an airline

Soviets Finally to Make the Farnborough Show:

The Soviet Union will participate in this year’s Farnborough Air Show for the first time. The USSR will static display an Ilyushin IL-82 wide-bodied commercial transport, the Mil Mi-26 Halo heavy-lift helicopter and an Antonov An-72 STOL tactical transport. The show will also feature flying displays for the first time ever from Boeing’s 737-300 and the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II in addition to the Turbo Firecracker and Pilatus PC-9 primary trainers. The show commences with a press day on Sunday September 2 followed by four trade days and three public days before ending the following Sunday.

For the Man Who Has Everything Dept:

King Khalid, whose executive jet fleet includes a Boeing 747, is looking at acquiring two VIP-configured Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallions. The giant helos would be fitted out with every luxury and used largely for use within Saudi Arabia

Qantas Sell First Used 747:

Qantas has sold its very first Boeing 747-200, VH-EBA, to Air Lanka for a reported $24 million. Air Lanka will use the 747 to augment its fleet of four Lockheed L1011 Tristars and two Boeing 737-200s. The sale will provide additional immediate working capital for Qantas in addition to reducing much of the excess capacity that the camera has had in recent years.

TAA to Stay in Western Queensland, Buy New Specialised Aircraft:

In an interesting about face in terms of long held corporate policy regarding TAA becoming an all jet fleet, the airline has won the rights to continue servicing its far-flung western Queens- land operations through to 1991 TAA presently operates an F 27 Friendship on the services embracing Brisbane with Longreach, Birdsville and from Townsville to Mount Isa Of major interest is that TAA will phase out the F. 27 in favour of a smaller turboprop and has shortlisted four such aircraft- the BAe Jetstream 31, DHC Dash 8, Saab-Fairchild 340 and Embraer’s Brasilia -with the successful type entering service by April 1986. The Jetstream. 31 is currently operating successfully with Skywest on a similar route structure in WA while the other three aircraft are between 50% and 60% larger in capacity. All would be significantly more economical to operate than the Friendship which is, and always has been, too big for the small level of traffic generated in this region. ”

Remember the Days of Pistons?

Those faded memories of the throb of overpowered radials breathing life into Constellations, DC-7s and Stratocruisers are now a dim memory for most of us. The passing of an era that deserves some sort of proper pictorial record. Flight International’s well-known photographer, Stephen Piercey, has produced just such a book. Entitled Sky Truck, this excellently produced 128 page book features no less than 120 colour photos of the last of the piston heavies Not all are flyable and some of the photos serve to remind us that not all nations have the same clinical attitudes to flight safety as we do. The book is excellent value at only $13 as advertised in this issue as a reader special, and is recommended for all who would like a piece of true aeronautical history.

Product Support Being Emphasised by ATR42 Team:

The Aerospatiale/Aeritalia combine building the ATR 42 commuter airliner has outlined its plans for customer support. The largest market, North America, will have a spares facility permanently stocking a minimum of $3 million worth of spares with an annual operating budget of around $1 million in technical support services. Five US carriers have firm orders for 14 ATR42s with options on a further 14 aircraft for delivery commencing in 1986 The location of similar spares and technical assistance centre in Australia would be fixed in close proximity to the first customer airline’s operating base Proportionally similar spares and manpower assistance would be provided depending on the number of aircraft ordered Meanwhile, Australian engineers recruited for product support would spend more than a year at Toulouse before the customer aircraft was delivered. In addition to the 42/49 seat ATR42, a stretched version seating up to 60 passengers will be available around 1987. Rollout of the ATR42 prototype will take place at Toulouse this August with first flight scheduled for September and certification scheduled for late 1985.

Wingtip Fences for A310s:

Following successful flight testing aboard an A300 during 1983, Airbus Industrie have decided to fit delta-shaped wingtip fences to its 1985 production A310-300s. The 1. 5 metre deep fences reduce drag by 1% which over the typically long routes favoured by the A310-300 will be a considerable advantage in additional range and reduced fuel burn. Airbus Industrie are also examining the possibility of fitting the fences to all future A300-600s and A310-2008

Braniff Emerges From the Ashes:

Braniff, who 22 months after declaring bankruptcy, has relaunched itself as a leaner, far more efficient carrier utilising a fleet of 30 Boeing 727-200s. Braniff will operate two classes, business and economy, with the former utilising 35 inch pitch in 727-200s configured for 146 passengers. Braniff will serve thirty US cities and will promote its above-average business class business which will occupy more than half the cabin and be available for passengers paying the full standard economy fare. In this way Braniff is going vigorously for the business market while still offering an enhanced level of service for the discounted economy passenger

British Airways in Mammoth Turn-Around:

British Airways has gone from one of the most in-debt international airlines to the most profitable in less than three years. BA announced their latest year trading results in late April which proved the effectiveness of the carrier’s cost-cutting and productivity enhancement programme over the past two years. BA declared a nett after-tax profit of $A274 million This places the airline well and truly in the black and provides a bonus in excess of $A25 million for splitting between the 37,000 staff members. BA has also recently, on more than one occasion, re-emphasised its objections to any part of its route structure being sold off to rival British Caledonian.

Ansett to Increase Its Presence in the Pacific:

Ansett Airlines are to increase their presence in the Pacific region following an increase in frequencies for its Polynesian Airlines services from Sydney and Melbourne to Western Samoa Ansett also manages Polynesian jet services to American Samoa, Fiji, Auckland, Papeete, Raratonga and Tonga Air Vanuatu are also heavily tied in with Ansett on their thrice weekly flights between Sydney and Vila using both Polynesian and Ansett Boeing 737s. However, with the arrival of Ansett’s fifth Boeing 767 this August and the outlook for a fairly static domestic passenger growth pattern over the coming year, the carrier is looking to expand its Pacific operation using a 767 to service the extended runway at Eastern Samoa with the ultimate aim of eventually operating into Honolulu. Market strategy would be to largely sell the Western Samoa and Australian destinations in Hawaii and US West Coast markets rather than placing priority on uplifting Australians in favour of traditional Qantas eastbound capacity

Qantas/Caac Enter New Markets:

Qantas and CAAC, the carrier for the Peoples Republic of China, have joined forces to inaugurate a twice-weekly air service from Melbourne and Sydney to Beijing from early September. The new services will eliminate the traditional overnight stop in Hong Kong and allow passengers to make the journey in one day. More Australians, on a per capita basis, visited China than tourists from any other country.

Sales

• ATR42: Dash Air of California has ordered two ATR42s for 1986 delivery.

• AIRBUS A320: Air Inter of France has signed for 10 with an option on a further 10. Cyprus Airways has ordered four with an option on a further four.

• DHC DASH 6: Seair of Alaska have ordered three Twin Otters for 1984 delivery.

• DHC DASH 7: Petroleum Air Services of Egypt has purchased five Dash 7s for oil support tasks.

•DHC DASH 8: DHC Middle East distributor, Dimel, has ordered 15 aircraft bringing total firm orders for the type to 54 with a further 72 optioned.

•BAe JETSTREAM 31: The Royal Navy has ordered four (designated T. 3) to augment their existing fleet of 16 Astazou-powered T. 2s. McAlpine Aviation have ordered one aircraft in corporate configuration. A sale has also been made to an unannounced US operator.

•BAe 146: Air Wisconsin has ordered two additional 200s, bringing its fleet to six of the type. It also has a further 10-200s on option. Airlines of Western Australia has ordered two 200s with options on an additional six; first delivery will be in February 1985.

•BAe 748: DLT of West Germany have ordered one 748 to bring their fleet up to five of the type.

• BOEING 737: International Lease Finance Corp (USA) has purchased one-200 on behalf of an unnamed US operator. Pakistan International has ordered six 300s. British Airways have exercised options on two -200s bringing their firm orders of the type to 44. Pacific Western Airlines of Canada have changed a 767 order for four 737-200s. International Lease Finance Corp (USA) has ordered 10-300s for several unnamed US operators. Piedmont have ordered 15-300s with options on a further 15. Total 737 sales to date are 1175.

• BOEING 747: Korean Air Lines has ordered two-300s. Cathay Pacific has ordered one -300, bringing their total fleet to eight 7478.

• BOEING 767: Delta have substituted 300s in place of previously ordered-200s for the last five aircraft in the 1978 launch order for 20 aircraft with 22 options. Delivery will be in late 1986 and Delta will be the first US operator of the extended fuselage -300.

• DORNIER: Olympic Airways of Greece has signed for two 228-200s with an option on a further two. Delta Air of Munich have ordered a single -100.

•MD-80: American Airlines have ordered 67 MD-80s with a further 100 on option. This will bring their eventual fleet to 200 aircraft by 1991. This is also the largest value order in world airline history. Finnair has ordered two MD-83s to bring their total MD-80 fleet to five aircraft.

•FOKKER F. 27: Suburban Airlines (USA) has ordered one-500 to take total Friendship order book to 959 including 206 built under licence by Fairchild.

•FOKKER F. 28: East West has ordered two additional-4000s with delivery in August and November 1984. Satena of Colombia has ordered two-3000s. Linjeflyg of Sweden has ordered a -4000 bringing its fleet to 16 F. 28s. Korean Air Lines have ordered a-4000 for delivery in June. An unnamed customer has taken a firm order on three -4000s to take the total order book to 217 aircraft.

•SAAB-FAIRCHILD 340: Comair of Cincinnati have increased their order from four to 12 aircraft. Comair is the first US operator of the type.

• SHORTS: USAF has ordered 18 Shorts Sherpas with a further 48 on option (refer Newsdesk). Air Lingus have ordered two 360s. Wright Airlines of Ohio have ordered eight 360s. Sunstate of Queensland have ordered a single 360 which was due to enter service in June. Total orders and options for Shorts 330/360 aircraft exceed 400 units.

•AIRBUS A300: Thai International has converted options on two -600s to firm orders and has taken options on a further two A300-600s.

•SKYSHIP AIRSHIP: Nikko Trading, a JAL subsidiary, has ordered one-500. Dentsu, a Japanese advertising agency, has ordered one-500. Placo of South Africa have ordered one -600 in a 20-seat configuration.

Boeing Looking At Ultra Long RANGE747:

Boeing are confident that they will, by 1988, be able to save up to 5000 kg of structure weight on their 747-300 by the use of new aluminium-lithium in place of the present generation of airframe alloys. Using the new generation of engines epitomised by the Pratt & Whitney PW4000 and the General Electric CF6-80C2 (the latter now teamed with Rolls Royce in development) a 747-300 would be able to fly stages as great as Singapore/London and Tokyo/New York Qantas are presently venturing into the ultra long range world with their SP flights across the Pacific which are proving very popular with high-yield first and business class patrons. It is no secret that Qantas would like to operate a one-stop Sydney/London flight using Bombay and completing the flight in around 19 to 20 hours. This flight, which would operate several days a week, would be configured with a bias towards first and business class and would no doubt ensure Qantas an even higher market share of the business traffic which it currently enjoys.

Shorts to Build Wings for New Fokker Jetliner:

Short Brothers of Belfast have become partners with Fokker of Holland and MBB of West Germany in the new Fokker 100 jetliner programme Shorts will be responsible for the design, development and production of the aircraft’s supercritical wing, involving an investment of about $50 million by the Belfast company The new project will continue the close.

association which Shorts have formed over the past decade with the Netherlands manufacturer. Wings for the Fokker F. 28-in which Shorts are also partners-are produced at Belfast, while Fokker, in turn, manufacture the outer wings for the Shorts 330 and 360 regional airliners

Fijian Pilots Advance to Wide-Body Accreditation:

Air Pacific captains Kava Konrote and Sam Nasu have successfully completed a DC 10-30 ground simulator course at Western Airlines operations centre in Los Angeles The pilots spent six weeks on the ground course and are now flying on-line on Air Pacific’s three flights each week from Nadi to Honolulu.

Air Pacific’s DC-10 initially had a contracted flight crew and the training of Captain Konrote and Captain Nasu is the first phase in enabling the airline to fly its own DC-10 with its own personnel. Air Pacific also provides the cabin crew for the aircraft.

Top Rating for Qantas 747 Flight Simulators:

Qantas has now gained the world’s highest accreditation for both its AST (Advanced Simulator Technology) Boeing 747 flight simulators. Level 5 accreditation by the Australian Department of

Aviation for the airline’s second simulator was confirmed after a fault-free proving period of 120 days and extensive testing. The first AST simulator gained Level 5 in November 1983. The rating means Qantas can transfer more training and testing of pilots and flight engineers to the simulators from the actual aircraft.

For example, a Level 5 simulator can be used to qualify a pilot for taking off and landing a 747 aircraft. It also allows pilots to practise landings in crosswinds. Previously, training sessions for the latter could be held up for weeks because of unsuitable wind conditions atthe training airfield at Avalon, Victoria. The Qantas AST simulators, manufactured by Singer Link, are the only ones with the Level 5 rating.

What Is Happening at Douglas:

Since the momentous American Airlines MD-80 purchase in March, the Douglas division of McDonnell Douglas is sounding a lot more confident about its position as a future builder of commercial transports. Rumour had been rife that MDC may be planning to get out of the commercial field altogether by 1988. This had been fuelled by the sudden decision earlier this year to cease work on the MD-90, MD-100 and D3300 civil airliner programmes in conjunction with the purchase of Hughes Helicopter, which is nowadays largely military orientated, and expanded development of the Company’s St Louis-based military aircraft programmes. The American Airlines deal, which it is said by a key Douglas official saw the aircraft contracted for a mere $US17 5 million each, will keep the MD-80 Long Beach facilities busy til the end of the decade at least.

Douglas are now keen to resume studies on a V2500-powered MD-80 to compete against the A320 and 737-300 in addition to becoming involved with China on the development and manufacture of a 50/60-seat turboprop feederliner. China and MDC recently signed a comprehensive agreement to build 25 MD-80s in the PRC and this project would be an obvious follow-on as the Chinese have a requirement for this type of aircraft. Meanwhile, it is expected that USAF will order an additional 60 KC-10A Extenders bringing the total requirement up to 120 aircraft and allowing the basic DC-10 line to remain open long enough to see a re-emergence of the MD-100 or a super DC-10 around 1989 at a time when Douglas officials believe there will be a demand for a long-range 280/360 passenger trijet using the latest in technology. Douglas is also pursuing research into a 100-seat short/medium-range propfan transport that in essence would be a DC-9-30 replacement.

All this augers for an increased level of development in the Douglas Long Beach facility though by 1990 these very factories are going to be getting very crowded with what are essentially military programmes MDC will begin Hawk trainer production from 1986, will most probably have an expanded KC-10 line and will have the giant C-17 USAF transport entering production around 1990. MDC also did not purchase the actual Hughes Helicopter production site in their acquisition of that company in 1983 leading to speculation that this too will transfer to Long Beach later this decade.

Certainly the future at Douglas’ Long Beach facility will be interesting.

New Radar for Sydney Airport:

The Department of Aviation has ordered new Airport Surface Movement Radar valued at $1. 2 million for Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport. The new system will give Air Traffic Controllers in the Control Tower a “bird’s eye view’ representation of the airport area on two TV display monitors.

The new radar will be the first of its type to be installed in Australia and will improve the efficiency and safety of ground movements at Australia’s busiest airport, especially in conditions of poor visibility. At night and during periods of rain or fog the radar will provide controllers with an accurate picture of the positions of aircraft and vehicles on and around runways, taxiways and aprons.

British Airways to Upgrade 747s:

BA are planning to upgrade 28 of their Boeing 747 aircraft with new galleys and revamped interiors, at a cost of $15 million. New uniforms will also be developed, while a livery change is also rumoured to be under consideration

Pratt and Whitney and General Electric to Build Competitive Prop. Fans:

Under a NASA contract both Pratt & Whitney and General Electric are to develop propfan propulsion suitable for a wide range of aircraft from 70 through to 120 seat capacity. Terms of the contract call for run-up in late 1985 with each engine flying aboard a Boeing 727 test-bed in late 1986. Objective of the program is to develop an engine with sic’s around a quarter less than present-generation high bypass turbofans. GE’s engine uses an F404 core and runs without benefit of a gearbox thereby saving weight and reducing complexity and eventual operating costs. The GE engine has an effective by-pass ratio of 30 as compared against a typical big fan with 6:1 and a propeller of 50-1. Both manufacturers are optimistic that the R&D experience from this programme will enable them to build highly competitive propfan power plants during the nineties capable of powering a wider range of commercial transport.

Boeing Signs Letter of Understanding With Japanese:

As a reaction to the official launch of the Airbus A320, Boeing and the major aircraft manufacturers of Japan have signed a letter of understanding for possible joint development of an advanced technology airliner of medium size and range.

The letter was signed in Seattle on March 16 by officials of Boeing, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd, and the Japan Aircraft Development Corporation.

Boeing and the Japanese aircraft industry have been studying the possibility of a joint programme for several years. At today’s signing, the participants stressed that the development of a new airplane will be influenced by market conditions, technical advancements and engine developments Under the right conditions, an introduction could occur in the late 1980s early 1990s

First Commercial Trans-Atlantic 767 Flight:

The first non-stop trans-Atlantic flight in commercial service by a Boeing 767 has been made between Montreal and Tel Aviv, taking 10 hours 52 minutes.

The El Al Israel Airlines’ twinjet covered the 5800 statute miles (9332 km) on March 27 El Al’s version, a 767ER with optional gross weight of 335,000 pounds, is fitted with 224 seats, although it carried 99 passengers on the long segment.

The flight was operated within US Federal Aviation regulations which require that, when carrying passengers, an airliner with two engines at all times be within 60 minutes of a suitable airport at single-engine speed (about 460 statute miles for a jetliner). Israeli regulations are similar to those of the US.

Currently these requirements are under discussion with the aim of relaxing the 60-minute rule because of increased reliability of modern, new-generation jetliners. This would allow more direct over-ocean flights. Today’s flight took a slightly more northern route than optimum because of the 60-minute rule.

 TAA Expand Freight Operations:

TAA have opened a new $2 million air freight centre at Mascot airport to cope with the expanding cargo market. TAA officials advised that the airline currently has 53% of the Australian domestic air freight market against only 40% sixteen years ago and 46% just five years ago. TAA also currently has 50. 3% of the passenger market after trailing badly in this area through 1981/82. TAA now has its own international cargo facilities at Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin and at Cairns and Townsville in North Queensland The new Sydney facility is the last in the network to be completed.

British Aerospace Launches Pro-duction of the ATP Advanced Turbo-Prop Airliner:

British Aerospace has announced full launch of its ATP Advanced Turboprop airliner programme. As a result of three years of intensive market research, the ATP will now move forward into the full production phase at the Manchester factories of the new Weybridge Division, where major assembly work is already in progress.

First flight of the ATP is scheduled for mid-October 1986 and deliveries to customers will begin in September 1987.

The 64-seat advanced turboprop will be powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW124 engines, each developing 2520 horsepower driving six-bladed propellers of advanced design by British Aerospace Dynamics and Hamilton Standard of the USA.

Estimates show a market for 800 to 1000 aircraft in this category by the end of the 1990s, of which BAe expect the ATP to capture at least one-third.

A300-600 Receives French, German Certification:

French and German airworthiness authorities have approved the certification of Airbus Industrie’s A300-600.

In parallel with the certification, approval was also received for pilot cross-qualification for the A310 and A300-600 because of the commonality of the two cockpits.

The A300-600 is an advanced technology version of the proven and successful A300. The incorporation of the A310’s redesigned rear fuselage allows it to accommodate two more seat rows than the A300 (267 passengers in a mixed-class layout compared with 251) and two -or optionally three more LD3 containers under the floor.

Wing modifications, aerodynamic refinements, drag clean-up and weight-savings from the use of advanced materials result in the A300-600 burning 15 per cent less fuel per seat than the A300-84.

American Airlines Order the Biggest in History:

American Airlines has announced the purchase of 67 McDonnell Douglas MD-80 jetliners with options for an additional 100. The transaction is the largest single order in the history of commercial aviation.

American President Robert Crandall said the order will enable American to replace older, less efficient equipment with the quiet, economical MD-80. American already operates 20 of the McDonnell Douglas twin-jets and will receive 13 more ordered last year. This could bring the American fleet eventually to 200 MD-80s.

Deliveries of the 67 aircraft will begin in 1985 and continue through 1987. Options are scheduled to be exercised 24 months prior to delivery in groups of 10 aircraft each if all the options are exercised, the last of the 167 MD-80s will be delivered in 1991.

McDonnell Douglas Chairman Sanford N McDonnell said the American purchase ‘wil provide us with the order base to expand our production rates to meet an expected worldwide increase in demand for the MD-80 over the next several years.

American’s MD-80s will carry 142passengers in a spacious first class and economy configuration. The five-abreast seating in the economy section features seats as wide as those used in current twin-aisle aircraft, and wider than those in competing six-abreast designs.

The Pratt & Whitney JT8D-217A engines, each developing 20,000 pounds (9072 kg) of take-off thrust, are both powerful and quiet The increased-bypass-ratio engines plus the improved MD-80 wing make the McDonnell Douglas twin-jet more than 30 per cent more fuel efficient than other aircraft in its class.

Selected by 29 airlines throughout the world, the MD-80 has carried more than 56 million passengers and achieved a mechanical dispatch reliability rate greater than 99 per cent.

 Pratt & Whitney to Increase PW100 Series Power Output:

Pratt & Whitney are planning to increase power output in future versions of the PW100 turboprop engine out to 3250 eshp by 1991. This would provide a perfect application for such aircraft as stretched Fokker 50, ATR62, and the British Aerospace ATP. Presently the engine ranges from a low of 1500 eshp on the Embraer Brasilia to 2520 eshp on the ATP.

Gulfstream to Produce 707 ‘Hushed’ Nacelles:

A contract valued at 122 million to produce noise reduction nacelles for Boeing 707s has been awarded to Gulfstream Aerospace.

The new noise-limiting nacelles are designed to bring Boeing 707 commercial jets into compliance with Federal Aviation Administration noise standards (FAR 23 Stage III) scheduled to go into effect January 2, 1985.

The cost of equipping a 707 with four new nacelles is about 12 per cent of the cost of installing new low-noise engines on the four- jet transports Gulfstream estimate a market exists for nacelles for at least 200 aircraft. At this time they have contracts to equip close to two dozen 707s.

Buying Big:

That US airline beacon, Delta, will through 1984 take delivery of no less than 42 aircraft. The delivery schedule includes 737-200s, 757s and 767s. Meanwhile Boeing will backtrade 11 of Delta’s Lockheed L1011 Tristars, making Boeing a greater than ever source of ‘other people’s’ widebodied airliners. Other Delta aircraft, principally Boeing 727s, will go to People Express (12 aircraft) and Piedmont (11 aircraft)

British Airways Plc Takes Off:

British Airways recently took another major step away from State-ownership and toward becoming a private sector business.

The airline was set up as British Airways Plc (Public Limited Company) on April 1, with the British government holding all shares. These shares are expected to be sold to private investors by early 1985. Plc is the British equivalent to the Australian term Pty Ltd.

British Airways is back firmly on the path to profits and expects to make about SA400 million in the year just ended.

The airline had cut staff by 22,000 and axed 62 routes. Unwanted assets had been sold off and82aircraft withdrawn from service About 60 of these aircraft were sold for SA150 million There had been a substantial management reorganisation