Newsdesk – General Aviation

As an example, Mr Swingler did not rule out the possibility of having poker machines at major airports as one form of gaining extra funding. “We intend to be entrepreneurial in our approach to paying our way, rather than using our monopolistic position as a way of increasing revenues. This will also include full autonomy for our General Managers in their day to day decision making” stated Mr Swing-Ler. At press time one of the problems yet to be overcome was the establishment of an asset valuation for the new Corporation. The DotA had placed a book value on the FAC facilities of $360 while the Dept of Finance suggested a written down replacement cost of some $840m. Obviously as the Government is willing to put around $180m into the initial FAC operating kitty, this would leave a considerable shortfall that would then have to be borrowed from the Government with an interest charge that could run as high as $60m a year.

As the recently announced and still provisional fuel surcharge for GA operators contributes purely to the DotA, it is to be expected that ultimately GA will have to pay more for the airport facilities to be operated by the FAC.

The FAC will also evaluate after three years whether or not to take over such joint use facilities as Darwin, Canberra and Townsville airports. These airports are presently operated jointly by the Depts of Aviation and Defence.

 Platypus Project Hoping for Launch Aid:

Harry Schneider’s superb Platypus training glider visited Canberra during March in an attempt to gain developmental funding from the Dept of Industry. Trade & Commerce.

An R&D loan of $500,000 is sought as the remainder can then be raised through private investment. Last year the Gliding Federation of Australia also polled its membership and found a majority supported the inclusion of a $15 per member per annum levy over the next three years as a means of gaining additional launch capital.

Harry Schneider has already invested more than a quarter of a million dollars of his own funds in the programme and now can go no further till more substantial backing is received. The development funding is now required to build a second prototype, gain certification and establish a manufacturing facility.

It is estimated that the Platypus would sell for around $50,000 as against $70/80,000 for imported trainers. A vast export market is envisaged as every overseas pilot who has flown the aircraft has been more than impressed. There is also a move to get the Platypus dedicated as a training aid, something that would then relieve it of its 20% sales tax and thus assist domestic sales. If production is authorised, it is expected that thirty to forty machines could be produced annually.

Skywest Lose Coastwatch Contract in Shock Announcement:

Skywest have lost their Coastwatch contract in an environment of general disbelief within the aviation industry.

of Primary cause for the disbelief is that the winning tenderer, Amman Aviation, is unknown in the industry. This magazine had never heard such a company, nor had the GAA or AFAP. So widespread was the general concern that the important Coastwatch surveillance contract had been let to a company without adequate and viable resources that the matter was raised in the Senate on March 18by Senator Durack.

Amman Aviation is headed by Mr Robert Amman, a structural engineer with White Industries with no previous GA experience other than being a private pilot. It is known that Amman Aviation has an option on 11 Rockwell 680 Commanders from a US company and is intending to use these aircraft in support of the Coastwatch contract. Prior to entry to service these aircraft will have their supercharged six cylinder engines exchanged for normally aspirated eight cylinder 10-720 Lycomings to enhance low level performance. The aircraft would also be fitted with new radios and radar to comply with Australian requirements. All of this work will be undertaken in the US without any Australian industry involvement.

Essentially, the new contractor should be up and running by July 1st though even Coastwatch acknowledge that this may be optimistic and that Skywest will probably continue to service the operation till later in the year. Amman will primarily be a flying operation, subcontracting most of its maintenance out to other operators around Australia. It is felt that many of the Skywest pilots will also transfer across to ensure employment continuity.

The reason that Coastwatch give for selecting a totally unknown operator, who at the time of initial tendering did not even possess a DotA Operator’s Licence, was that his quote was cheaper. Australian Aviation believes a figure of $17. 7m over three years for Amman versus figures of around $20m for Skywest and Lloyds. Coastwatch do feel entirely confident in Amman Aviation’s ability to satisfy the requirement and point out that when Skywest took on the contract many years ago, that they too were a very much smaller organisation than they are today.

Sport Aviation Safety Committee Endorses Wide-Ranging Changes for the Operation of Ultralight Aircraft:

The Report of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Transport Safety has recommended a number of wide-ranging changes to the operation of ultralight aircraft.

Basically, the Committee found that the Entre ultralight movement had been jeopardised in recent years through its continued bad relations with the DotA, caused principally by the DotA not being able to develop a clear and satisfactory range of standards acceptable to the ultralight community in a reasonable time frame.

The Committee thus tended to endorse many of the far-reaching policy options put forward by the AUF at the November 1986 Federal Council Meeting. Foremost, the Committee recommended extending the existing ANO 95. 10 out to aircraft of 150kg and allowing these aircraft greater flexibility due to their operational ceiling being lifted from 500ft AGL to up to 3,000ft AGL with an approved VHF radio, altimeter and appropriate pilot training certificate. The AUF had been fighting for an extension of the basic empty weight for years with the DotA to no avail. Most ultralight flyers contended, somewhat logically, that if their aircraft were a little heavier then that extra weight would then be able to accommodate a stronger structure and in some cases more reliable four stroke motors (something that would have already saved quite a few lives, Ed).

Autogyros, which operate in the same environment as ultralights, are allowed an empty weight limit of some 250kg, more than double that of the existing 95. 10 limit of 115kg. This paradox should now be eliminated hopefully with the DotA and AUF formulating a revised 95. 10 and a possible replacement for 95. 25 in the coming months. Let us hope that the DotA this time doesn’t take its usual millennium to bring down its decisions as to the recommendations made in the Parliamentary Report.

Widespread Support for Dota Fuel Tax Recommendations:

The General Aviation industry has generally endorsed the DotA’s fuel tax recommendations. The fuel tax, originally championed by AOPA several years ago, would replace the overwhelmingly cumber-some, unjust and costly plan of individual air- craft movement and landing charges. Under this system the Department incurred many new expenses while GA operators suffered cost increases of between 200% and 400% the Essentially Department’s recommendations are based on two options. Firstly, there is a flat 3. 5c per litre tax on avgas whilst retaining landing and movement charges at Commonwealth aerodromes. The second option, which appears to have the most support, is for a 5c per litre tax on avgas in lieu of all ANCS and landing and movement charges at Commonwealth aerodromes.

The fuel tax at present is still only a proposal despite its first rate endorsement by both the Department and industry, it must now be ratified by the Government in budget discussions and be vetted as economically viable by the Department of Finance.

As with all mass billing systems, there will be winners and losers though it is generally felt that most people will be ahead using these proposals while some, notably aero clubs locked into major airports such as Canberra and Darwin, will now be able to breathe easy as their long-term future under the previous system would most definitely have been nil. Ag operators, who use little of the airways system though burn large amounts of avgas, would most appropriately be given a fuel levy rebate while mogas users are certain winners.

 Hawker Pacific Opens New Cairns Flight Centre:

Australia’s largest General Aviation company, Hawker Pacific, has opened a comprehensive support facility at Caims International Airport The new facility includes a VIP lounge maintenance hangar, offices and a reception area and complements Hawker Pacific’s similar operations at Eagle Farm and Archerfield airports.

Caims is rapidly growing as the capital of the north and Hawker’s will now utilise this new facility to be able to expand their share of the growing New Guinea and Pacific Islands aviation support trade. Hawker Pacific currently employs over 500 people, both in Australia and at a number of overseas locations and expects to have a 1986/87 turnover well in excess of $130m.

Australian Dme Life Clarified:

The long-standing confusion over the future of the Australian DME System has now been clarified in Parliament. AWA’s Aviation Marketing Manager, Les Miscandion, said that follow- ing a long period of requests for clarification by the Department of Aviation a definitive statement has now been made in the Senate which finally lays the matter to rest.

The statement made by Senator Gietzelt in response to questions put by Senator Kilgariff stated, “There is neither an approved programme nor any date set for a changeover from DME(D) to DME(I). The domestic aviation industry have supported a timely changeover from DME(D) to DME(I). An acceptable programme and changeover date has now to be finalised with the aviation industry, after which Government approval will have to be sought in the budget context. There are no funds in 1986/87. The changeover would be expected to be completed within seven years of Government approval. ” The Department of Aviation currently operates an Australian designed Domestic Distance measuring equipment DME(D) facility from 108 locations. The Department also operates DME(I) facilities and when the current approval programme is complete there will be 32 DME(1) facilities installed of which 25 will be co-located with DME(D) facilities.

AWA has developed a number of airborne DME systems since 1939 and is very proud of its achievements. Although AWA accepts that due to international pressure, the changeover will occur, this clarification is most welcome, it will have a stabilising affect on the DME market and as a result, the company has decided to continue manufacturing the current system, the VAN-X. It also has a commitment to the Australian aviation industry to support the present system and previous system until the changeover.

Australian Business Aircraft Association

Australian Aviation has been appointed the official organ of the newly formed Australian Business Aircraft Association. The ABAA (refer p40 Jan 87 AA) has been formed to promote the aims and objectives of corporate aviation in Australia and already. includes a prestigious membership list including BHP, Shell, ANI, Esso, Westfield, Ariadne, Qintex and Consolidated Press. Australian Aviation is honoured to be able to support the ABAA and will feature a special news column – Corporate Contrails – each issue to further promote the aims and objectives of the Association.

The current VAN-X retails at $A5,300 (14 volts) and $A5,675 (28 volts). An equivalent IFR DME(I) retails (at the latest exchange rate) for $A5,833 in USA + duty and CIF charges. This makes the DME(D) equipment very attractive and the most useful for the Australian market when considering the coverage of DME(D).

Bicentennial Air Show Shaping up as a Major Event of 1988:

The Bicentennial air show, to be held at RAAF Base Richmond from October 12 to 16 next year is shaping up as one of the most exciting events of the entire bicentennial year.

Organised by the Australian Bicentennial Air Show committee through Schofields Aero Club and the RAAF, the show has already attracted primary sponsorship from Qantas and associate sponsorship from Ansett and Mobil. The US Dept of Commerce is to co-ordinate a special US national pavilion, a move that will bring a sizeable US military and commercial aircraft presence.

Also coming will be a number of Soviet aircraft in addition to those of regional air forces in a similar fashion as the annual UK Military Aircraft Tatoo which for many years was held at RAF Greenham Common. Air Show organizers are also hoping to attract one or more world class aerobatic teams and are presently discussing this with the RAF Red Arrows, USAF Thunderbirds and the USN Blue Angels, who as a point of interest now fly F-18s as their display aircraft.

Air Prop Expanding With New Equipment:

Air Prop Services diversification into aircraft component maintenance has proved to be most successful. All aspects of the aircraft component and hydraulic shop are now operational and work is being received from throughout Australia and SE Asia.

The facility now afforded by airline speed bags to safely ship components around Australia overnight has also been instrumental in attracting work from interstate.

The Greer governor rig has had extensive usage and is invaluable for testing and fault diagnosis. A turbine governor test rig is also under construction. The engine and electric motor-driven pump test rig, designed and built by Air Prop Services is fully operational and is being used for pressure and flow testing of hydraulic, fuel and vacuum pumps.

Other work being undertaken is flexible hose manufacture and testing, accumulator, power pack, actuator, hydraulic valve, wheels and brake and landing gear maintenance. Spares backing for the component maintenance is steadily increasing and a large inventory is already in stock.

Air Prop Services policy of high quality control, competitive pricing, fast turnaround and awareness of customer requirements which has seen the propeller side of the business grow significantly, is being applied to component maintenance with encouraging results.

Bae 125 Favourite for Dofa Contract:

The Department of Aviation is making no secret of the fact that their preferred aircraft as an F28 replacement is the BAe 125 corporate jet.

Primary driver of this preference for the British jet is the fact that Qantas, and the earlier DCÁ, operated 125s for an unequalled service history with little or no airframe or systems problems. Tenders for providing the lone jet closed at the end of February and the DotA hope to be able to announce a firm decision by mid year for an entry into service by October with the F28 being disposed of before Christmas. The F288 are in pristine condition and have each logged around 6500hrs and 10,000 landings. According to a recent Avmark price update such aircraft would be worth in the region of $A5-6m.

The plan to acquire an aircraft like the 125 results in a rationalisation of the DotA Flying Unit operations in recent years. By using simulator technology and flying a greater number of multi-measurement runs the Ďepart- ment has been able to reduce its direct navaid calibration type flying by around 33%. Essentially a third of all flying hours are in the area of maintaining flying skills, something that an F28 is decidedly grand for when a smaller jet can perform the same role at a considerable cost saving. That savings will be more than $1m annually and will eventually lead the Flying Unit to dispose of their other two F28s in preference for more economical aircraft.

The capability of modern avionics and electronic systems, plus a greater reliability of ground based navaid systems, will allow aircraft to be fully equipped for the important checking task without the need for a large hull and power system. Antenna technology has also improved greatly in the past two decades and it is now possible to fit the required spectrum of antennas aboard a smaller aircraft.

To replace its remaining two F28s the Department though would require something larger than the 125. Ideally, an aircraft in the Canadair Challenger, Falcon 900 or Gulfstream class, though as the DotA point out that jet speeds are not totally necessary then one of the new smaller turboprops, such as the 300kt cruise Brasilia, could be well suited to the task. During its Australian demonstration tour in 1985, the Brasilia transited from Darwin to Sydney in just 6 hours 10 minutes, so position- ing of this class of aeroplane would not be a problem. Whatever happens, it is refreshing to see large and expensive to operate aircraft being replaced with smaller and cheaper alternatives by a government entity.

Hawker Pacific Inc Acquires Major Us Helicopter and Airline Support Organisation:

Hawker Pacific Inc, the US subsidiary of the Australian aviation marketing and servicing company. Hawker Pacific Pty Ltd has acquired the assets, business and trading name of Los Angeles based Flight Accessory Services Inc (FAS) FAS, which also has facilities in Miami and Amsterdam, repairs and overhauls landing gear, hydraulic systems and sub-assemblies for both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft.

Aircraft types handled by FAS include Boe- ing 707, 727, 737; McDonnell Douglas DC-8, DC-9, DC-10; BAe146; Lockheed L-188, P-3, C-130 and Convair 440 and 580. Principal helicopter makes include Bell Textron, Aerospatiale and Sikorsky.

The acquisition of FAS is seen as a major step in expanding Hawker Pacific’s role in the airline support market, which in the United States alone is worth in excess of $US150 billion.

 Aircraft Accident Statistics Show 1986 Decline:

The number of aircraft accidents in Australia declined during 1986 according to statistics compiled by the Bureau of Air Safety Investigation. Compared to the average for the 1983-85 period of 248 accidents, 1986 saw an improvement in aviation safety with only 233 accidents occurring.

People

Mr Ronald Cooper has been appointed as the new Director of BASI. Air Vice Marshal Hans Roser has been appointed Commander of the Integrated Air Defence System at Butterworth, Malaysia. Ms Belinda Howell has been appointed as Public Affairs Manager for British Airways replacing Ken Morton who is now Deputy Director of PR based at Heathrow. Mr David Bell, previously Corporate Development Manager, Hawker Pacific, is now Vice President and General Manager of Flight Accessory Services, Hawker’s recent US acquisition. Air Marshal Ray Funnell has been promoted to Chief of the Air Staff following the retirement of Air Marshal Jake Newham. Lt General Peter Gration has been appointed the new Chief of the Defence Force replacing Sir Phillip Bennett. Lt General Laurie O’Donnell has been promoted to Chief of the General Staff. Mr Frank Campbell has been appointed as Technical Support Manager of Pacific Aviation while Mr Colin Nicholls has been appointed chief electrical, instruments and avionics supervisor. Mr Abe Gonzales has been appointed as District Sales Manager, Queensland, for United Airlines. Mrs Geraldine Hunt has been appointed as the British Caledonian sales manager for Victoria.

Videos

Airbase:

Beyond Video The Beyond Video organisation has been specialising in Australian aviation videos now for several years. This latest effort portrays the typical day-to-day workings of the Edinburgh air base during the running of last year’s Fincastle ASW Trophy.

Following several days at Edinburgh, the team moves across to Pt. Cook for a glimpse at the activities associated with No. 1 Flying Training School, the very nursery of RAAF fliers. Also included is some interesting footage of the RAAF Museum aircraft.

Available direct from Beyond Video, PO Box 326, Croydon, 3136 for $46. 95 inc postage.

Video Training  Aviation Programmes:

Avscan Aviation. Anybody who has ever upgraded to an IFR rating will know just how much hard work is involved in accomplishing same. Therefore, it was with great interest that we learnt of two new videos that have been specially produced on the all important procedures aspects of instrument flight.

The Moorabbin-based Peter Bini Advanced Flying organisation has put a lot of work into these tapes and the accompanying flight manuals. As in all video instructional aids, the absorption rate level is generally higher than the alternative of slogging through reams of never-ending book work. Used properly they could even save an hour or two in the actual aircraft, a not inconsiderable saving in this day and age.

For further information, we suggest you contact the school direct on (03) 580 5295.

Books

Airlift – A History of Military Air Transport:

David Wragg. Mostly overshadowed by the more glamorous fighter and bomber aircraft, the vital role of the transport aircraft is ideally narrated in this well produced book.

The World War II air war, for instance, is mostly thought of as fleets of B-17s and Lancasters pounding Nazi Germany into suppression or direct fighter to fighter conflict. Little remembered are the thousands of trans-port aircraft that kept the only man who could ultimately win the war, the foot soldier, in food, ammunition and reinforcements.

This book studies the history of military airlift, from the fledgling endeavours of the final period of the Great War through to the proposed airlifters of tomorrow. Ironically, it is also worth noting that more than ever, military airlift is perhaps the most vital aspect of second level air capability of any major nation.

This well produced and written 160 page book has an RRP of $39. 95 and is available from Princeton Books, PO Box 24, Cheltenham, 3192.

Private Pilot Flying Training Manuals:

Capt Trevor Thom Learning to fly is fun, so the advert says, and mostly it’s right except when it comes to plodding through those reams of notes on matters that you have not even heard of before. Therefore the student pilot should aim to take in as much knowledge as possible from videos, from his instructor, classroom instruction and, of course, from textbooks.

Capt Trevor Thom’s Aviation Theory Centre nicely fills the latter alternative as an easy-to-understand training manual that is used in sequence with your active flying training. Knowing what is going to happen on each flight is essential if training time (and money) is not to be wasted, so on this basis alone these manuals are a good investment.

Also of great use is the radio procedures book which clarifies the abundance of radio calls that always seem a mystery to the neophyte student. We might also add that the ATC practice exams are also indispensable as a workout prior to the real thing.

Available from most aero club and pilots supply shops or direct from Aviation Theory Centre, 131 Nelson Place, Williamstown, 3016 for an RRP of $25 each.