Newsdesk – General Aviation

AOPA, speaking on behalf of Australia’s struggling GA community, said that the Minis- ter’s press statement relating to cost recovery lists the estimated attributable costs for the provision of services to the aviation industry (the vast bulk of which is used only for RPT operations) in 1985/86 as $498m. AOPA state that, “The industry is currently paying almost double that figure at $815m per annum or $1m a day over and above the attributable cost of the grossly overstaffed and inefficient bureaucracy it has to support”

Usaf Ttb Programme Will Prove a Massive Boost for General Aviation:

The USAF is now moving closer to actively requesting a Request For Tender (RFT) for the force’s TankedTrainer/Bomber (TTB) programme The TTB will be a small twinjet capable of being employed as an alternative trainer for USAF pilots working up to larger tankers, transports and bomber aircraft. USAF estimate that the money saved in not flying primary crew training missions on such expensive to operate aircraft as the KC-135, KC-10, C-141, C-5. B-52 and B-1B will pay for the entire programme in just five years. Additionally. introduction of the TTB will reduce flying time on the supersonic T-38 Talon by up to 60% thereby allowing this aircraft to remain in service right through till the year 2000.

The TTB aircraft programme will prove to be a saviour to whichever General Aviation manufacturer wins it, as some 215 off the shelf airframes are required. A win of this magnitude would establish that manufacturer’s aircraft on an assembly schedule that in the civil marketplace would give it a pricing advantage over any competitor due to the sheer weight of production alone.

Beech are offering their Beechjet, Cessna Citation 1 and 2, Falcon Jet the 100 and IAI a modified 1124 Westwind or Astra. It is believed that the BAe 125 and Falcon 200 would be too big for the RFT which is framed around the smallest of existing corporate jet types.

Nomad Trial to Proceed:

Legal action by the American Hughes Corporation against the GAF is now set to be heard on April 6th, 1987 in the Federal Court. The $41m claim against GAF is for aircraft that Hughes allege to have not been in an airworthy state. GAF claim that many of the operators that Hughes marke- ted the Nomads to through the late seventies and early eighties were not economically or technically viable to own and operate such aircraft and hence the deterioration of some of the aircraft once in use.

To recover costs GAF is counterclaiming to the extent of $21m. Whoever loses will now also have to pay an accumulated legal bill expected to exceed several million dollars. This would be a severe financial blow to GAF, which is presently being configured as a statutory authority, as it still is holding more than 20 unsold Nomads at its Oatlands storage facility pending their eventual disposal as foreign aid as little real commercial interest is being generated in the aircraft.

Beech Announces Change in Star-Ship Certification Basis:

Beech has announced that it will change the basis of certification of its new Starship business turboprop to take advantage of the FAA planned amendment to FAR Part 23, which establishes certification procedures for aircraft with gross weights over 12,500lbs (5,675kg). The aircraft will be certified at 14,000lbs (6,356kg) instead of 12,500lbs. The greater gross weight will allow a significant increase in Starship’s specified useful load. The increase was achieved by utilising the full power cap- ability of the P&W PT6A-67, the most advanced and fuel efficient engine in the PT6 series. The increased power, in conjunction with added fuel capacity, allows a significant increase in passenger and baggage payload with no compromise in speed and range. The improvements do not affect the distinctive appearance nor the construction of the all-composite aircraft.

During the development and flight testing accomplished to date, Starship’s empty weight increased as a result of several minor design changes. This would have resulted in a lower-than-planned full fuel payload. In order to maximize Starship’s utility to its owners, Beech made the decision to increase the certified gross weight and, thereby, increase the payload.

Beech’s decision to certify Starship under the new federal regulations will delay certification by approximately one year due to the additional effort required to modify its design, build necessary test hardware and conduct required certification testing. The company now plans to certify Starship by the end of 1987 with initial customer deliveries to begin during the second quarter of 1988

Australian Business Aircraft Association Holds Inaugural Meeting:

The newly formed Australian Business Aircraft Association is due to hold its inaugural meeting on November 5th at the Sydney Airport Hilton.

A steering committee has already been formed to run the ABAA while with the voting in of official office bearers, the Association is then aiming to be run along the lines of the American National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA) and would also be affiliated with the International Business Aviation Council.

The ABAA’s founding aims are to: Foster the highest degree of operational safety and effectiveness of business aircraft Promote and maintain an understanding of business aviations benefits to Australian society and to the economy as a whole at all levels of government, both federal, state and local. Assure a free flow of communication to promote mutual trust in the formulation of government policies, rules and regulations affecting business aircraft and their operations. To promote the aviation related interests of Australian companies using aircraft for the conduct of their business. And, finally, to provide a source of communication to the media on the benefits to everyone of the use of aviation as a business tool in the modern Australian economy.

The official postal address of the ABAA is PO BOX 187, Hurstville, 2220. Phone contacts are (03) 667 4363 and (02) 476 1144, Fax is (02) 570 9021 and telex is 72923

Gaa Report Confirms Fairly Gloomy Outlook for Much of the General Aviation Industry:

The rec- ently released General Aviation Association’s annual industry survey has painted a picture of gloom amongst its members in the GA community.

The survey found that there was a general lack of confidence throughout the industry much of which was generated by specific actions of government these past two years. Some 62% of respondents indicated a lack of confidence in the coming year while 30% believed that there would be no change and 8% did feel that there was cause for optimism. When asked whether business had picked up in the last year, 63% responded that aircraft sales and levels of enquiries had actually declined compared with 37% who considered the situation was basically unchanged. The falling dollar, added import duties, high interest rates and inflation had done much to destroy new aircraft sales locally, the respondents stated.

Some 51% reported that maintenance work had remained static with 22% stating that it had improved against 27% who reported a decline. Flying training hours meanwhile had increased for 26% of respondents while 42% reported no change in output and 32% reported a decline. Charter and other aerial work activity remained static for 33% of operators whilst 24% observed an increase and 42% had reduced levels of activity in this area.

On the question of investment, only 15% reported additional expenditure for the coming year, 23% were actually trimming back and roughly two-thirds were planning to sit pat. Due to these factors, three-quarters of the GA operators were planning on having to increase their charge-out rates for 1987.

On the matter of future employment, 18% expected to employ more pilots, 21% expected to employ fewer and the remaining 61% expected no change. Only 12% of maintenance organisations expected to employ more engineers, 15% expected fewer on the payroll while the remaining three quarters saw no change in LAME levels. On flying hours, 43% expected no change, 34% predicted a decrease and only 23% expected an increase in the coming year.

The reasons for the general mood of gloom and doom are many and obvious, claim the GAA Primary culprit is government policy in regards to cost recovery. The acceleration of total 100% + cost recovery in less than eighteen months instead of the ten years as recommended in the Bosch Report is forcing many GA operators into bankruptcy. This is particularly so in the case of small commuter and charter operators.

Other factors were the low value of our dollar, causing a situation where imported aircraft prices were at unprecedented levels and the fact that few real GA aircraft are manufactured anymore. The weak dollar, coupled with import duties, also forced up the cost of maintenance and spares acquisition to the point where DOC’s increased beyond the economic vi- ability of many aircraft. High interest rates, caused principally by a weak dollar and long-term government fiscal policy, also stymied potential buyers of aircraft, new and used.

Fuel had also risen excessively despite a dramatic drop in the price of overseas crude. Most of this increase goes directly to government revenue and if the taxes paid on aviation fuel are taken into account, the Australian aviation community is paying an average of $1m a day more for the DolA then it presently costs to operate same, even with the 100% level of cost recovery already achieved.

Canberra Flight Facilities Gets Air-To-Ground Frequency:

Australia’s newest corporate FBO, Canberra Flight Facilities (refer p58, Sept AA) now has its own air-to-ground communication frequency to enable inbound corporate operators the opportunity to order hire cars, taxis or even accommodation prior to arriving at Canberra airport. The new frequency is 126. 4 and no doubt will save operators much time in ensuring their passengers are not waiting around the terminal for transport to Canberra city.

Canberra Flight Facilities have recently invested more than a quarter million dollars on their new corporate lounge and FBO facility to vastly upgrade the level of service available to charter and corporate operators visiting the national capital.

New Helo for National Parks Operation:

The NSW National Parks & Wildlife Association has replaced its Gazelle with a new Aerospatiale AS350B Squirrel from Rex Aviation.

The National Parks group lost their Gazelle, VH-PWS, in an accident at Mt. Perisher last December and in the meantime have used chartered resources where required The new Squirrel, VH-PTH, is outfitted with a rescue winch, sliding rear doors, a litter, fire fighting bucket and is equipped for a wide spectrum of SAR operations.

The new helicopter became operational at the end of September.

Alfa Romeo and General Electric Sign Memorandum of Understand- Ing for the GE27/GE38 Family of Engines:

Alfa Romeo and General Electric have agreed to a revenue-sharing memorandum of understanding which stipulates that Alfa Romeo will participate with General Electric in the development and production of the GE27/GE38 family of engines.

The memorandum covers the new family of GE27/GE38 turboprop, turboshaft and turbofan engines in the 5,500shp class, applied to a wide variety of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, both civilian and military.

This memorandum follows the agreement signed by Garrett Turbine Engine Company earler this year for the development of the CFE738 engine, a high bypass turbofan in the 5,600lb thrust class. The CFE738 is based on GE27 technology.

Alfa Romeo will be responsible for the development and production of the combustor portion of the engine core and has the option to expand this participation into the low-pressure turbine area. Alfa Romeo has through the years accumulated much skill and experience in combustors of turbine engines including the CF6 family of high bypass ratio engines. Alfa Romeo also has the right to participate in future Unducted Fan (UDF) versions of the engine.

Embraer Buys Piper Kits:

Embraer has signed an agreement with Piper for the purchase of 156 light aircraft kits Embraer have been assembling and marketing Piper aircraft in South America now for more than a decade and have to date built some 2,000 Piper aircraft valued at more than $US100m in current values.

Piper is also seeing renewed interest from similar arrangements it has with various aerospace companies in Bogota, Columbia and Argentina and is in the process of shipping Warrior, Seneca and Saratoga kits to meet local demand.

VIDEOS

Farnborough ‘86:

AVI Professionally taping the major air shows is now a regular event and this is the third Famborough that AVI now have on offer. Farn- borough itself of course needs no introduction and you can update yourself on this most important air show by reading our full report commencing on p17 of this edition.

The excellently edited tape features all the air display action including an in-depth run down on both the EAP and Rafale fighter technology demonstrators. Also of note are the many interviews regarding the diverse range of static displays depicting the many fields of avionics, electronics and weapon systems. If you can’t get there, then this may well be your best ‘second option’.

Available from Aviation Video International, c/o Tasmanian Film Corp, 1 Bowen Rd, Hobart TAS 7019, for $49. 00 or all three tapes, covering the ’82, 84 and 86 Farnborough for $99. 00 (refer to an advertisement on p18 and please allow three weeks for processing).

Aircraft of the Raaf the Canberra:

The Unhurried Explorer. This 62-minute tape documents the English Electric Canberra bomber in RAAF service. The tape takes us through the various engineering aspects of the aircraft in great detail and includes much historical footage of the Canberra as used by the RAAF in Vietnam The RAAF acquired 55 Canberra bombers and the type served through a career spanning thirty years. Though the aircraft was rubbished fairly heavily during the early sixties as being obsolete, it later went on to perform excellent service in Vietnam. This tape is now one of a series on Australian Service aircraft and the producers have recently released similar ones covering the careers of the Mustang and CA-27 Sabre. Available from Beyond Video, PO Box 326, Croydon VIC 3136 for $39. 95 plus $7. 00 for postage. The Company also has Task Force South, on the Falklands and the above-mentioned Sabre and Mustang tapes available for the same price (refer to advertisement on p111 of this edition).

BOOKS

Australia’s Armed Forces of the Eighties:

Edited by Ross Gillett Of some 158 pages, this well-illustrated book details the specific order of battle of the three elements of the ADF, the Army, Navy and Air Force. If you are in a situation where you need to know, for instance, just how many UH-1Hs the RAAF operate, or what armament does the FFG carry, or how long the Pilatus Porter has been in Army service, then this book is for you. Excellently illustrated, the book also details the technical specifications of the major items of equipment used by our forces and includes comprehensive data on the often neglected but vitally necessary elements of the support infrastructure of the ADF RRP is $29 95, Australia’s Armed Forces of the Eighties is published by Child & Henry and is available at most major bookstores

Aerobatic Teams of the World:

Adrian Balch Precision aerobatic teams have been the hallmark of a sophisticated air force for many decades now. Without fail the well-trained team will serve to not only entertain an audience but to also publicise the professionalism of that service to those who indirectly finance its existence.

Of 148 pages, this book represents good value to those who want a concise history of the world’s major aerobatic teams and an alphabetical listing of each nation’s own existing team. One interesting point was the number of smaller nations who use helicopters as their primary aerobatic vehicles By and large though most nowadays prefer to use their jet trainers rather than primary combat aircraft.

Aerobatic Teams of the World is distributed locally by Princeton Books and is available from most major bookshops.

Modern Weapons:

Ray Bonds Another in the Hodder & Stoughton line of modern combat reference books, this one examines more than 600 different weapons. An excellent reference work that also includes a rundown on the major naval surface combatants, land armour and an update on every combat air system and soon-to-be employed Of over 240 pages, Modern Weapons carries an RRP of $24. 95 and is available at most major book shops.