Newsdesk – General Aviation

By comparison, domestic airline activity rose by 5. 2% in 1986/87, mostly due to passenger increases while air cargo business actually dropped.

Amann Fiasco Reveals Faults in Tendering System:

The review into the processes that led to Mr Robert Amann’s previously unknown aviation business winning the complex coastal surveillance contract has revealed a number of significant faults within the tender evaluation process.

In a special document prepared by Mr Roger Beale, Assistant Secretary of the Dept of Transport and Communications on behalf of Senator Gareth Evans, it confirms that there was insufficient testing of Mr Amann’s managerial competence, that his chief pilot did not appreciate the level of work required by the tender and that the supplier of the aircraft was not even investigated as to his being able to meet the task required.

Entitled, Processes Associated with the Assessment of Tenders and Grant of Coastwatch Contract to Amann Aviation, the document calls into question the fact that there was no officer from the Dept of Aviation present at the crucial interview with Mr Amann. The document went on to report “The failure of the Tender Assessment Committee to fully understand and test the technical risks and Mr Amann’s aviation advisors’ skills may have arisen because of a misunderstanding between the Dept of Transport and the Dept of Aviation about Aviation’s role in the tender process”, the report concluded. Furthermore, on the day of the crucial Amann interview in Canberra the DofA’s appointed officer was acting in a more senior position attending to flying duties at Essendon.

The report went on to reveal that a mere eleven days after the contract was signed (amidst an avalanche of media dismay), that the DofA’s NSW Regional Director, Mr Thomp’s son, interviewed Amann and his technical team and was unimpressed with the level of their appreciation of the task in hand. The report stated “That interview focused on Mr Amann’s plans for modifying and registering aircraft and establishing and certifying the flying services. Mr Thompson concluded at the end of a detailed interview that Mr Amann appeared not to understand the dimensions of the task in front of the company, the chief pilot appeared not to understand that he was out of his depth, and the maintenance engineer did not appear to be very confident either of his firm’s ability or of its future in the operation”. With regard to aircraft selection the report concluded that “Mr Amann was proposing to step into uncharted territory, and his timetable did not leave much room for any unexpected technical problems that would require a change in aircraft”. The report also uncovered inconsistencies in Mr Amann’s statement of past capability and also revealed that at no stage were any of Mr Amann’s past achievements, as stated in his handwritten tender, verified by independent referees.

History now records of course that on the final start up day, September 12, Amann Aviation could field only 7 operational aircraft from a tender requirement of 14. None of these aircraft met the specific requirements of having bubble windows, drop hatches and only two had the necessary flying range. Moreover, the two which did have sufficient endurance were not equipped with the required avionics includ- ing specified high accuracy navigation sets, enhanced radio capability and weather radar. Meanwhile Skywest are back operating the Coastwatch contract in lieu of a new tender release, which will occur around next March. It is envisaged though that with the new, and more thorough evaluation processes in store, that this itself won’t be clarified till later in 1988. Skywest though had what one might term the last laugh when they recently won a renewal on their Darwin-based Customs surveillance contract.

For we taxpayers, the whole Amann affair has been just another sorry example of bureaucratic bungling that should never have occurred. On the day that the announcement was made, Australian Aviation contacted a number of senior officers from the Coastwatch Organisations that were involved in the decision. When faced with the polite suggestion that perhaps their operator choice might prove to be incapable of meeting such a vastly complex, expensive to establish and time intensive task, we were told that they had “total faith in Mr. Amann’s ability to successfully undertake the mission Our subsequent editorials, and everybody else’s opinions within the industry since that date have certainly been a little more realistic. Let us hope that the review that is currently being undertaken on behalf of Senator Evans will make those responsible for this fiasco accountable (just as they would be in the real world of private enterprise) and that it does not occur again.

Brasilia Scores a Local Sale:

Embraer have at last scored a regional sale with the recent announcement of an order of two plus two for Talair subsidiary, Flight West. The aircraft will be delivered in August and September of next year and though they are presently earmarked for the western Queens- land routes currently serviced by that carrier’s King Airs, most observers feel they will be deployed on more lucrative sectors following an opening up of Queensland routes via that State’s move to deregulate its intrastate services.

Talair already operate ten Bandeirantes and were the first purchasers of the Embraer twin a decade ago. The New Guinea-based airline employs over 600 people spread throughout 18 bases and serves 136 locations with over 300 scheduled flights a day with a fleet of more than 60 aircraft. In addition to Flight West, Talair also operates Vanuatu-based Air Melanesia.

Talair’s order for the Brasilia brings total Brasilia orders and options to more than 300 aircraft.

Reduced Spending a Feature of New Aviation Budget:

Owing to the amalgamation of the Departments of Communication, Transport and Aviation, savings have been anticipated of some 52% or $35m for the 1987/88 financial year.

Staffing levels will fall during the year by a further 423, while despite the funding cutback the new Department will be able to increase capital expenditure by some 26%.

Some of the features of the Budget were the decision to proceed with the so far ill fated FAC and the announcement that international air- port terminals would remain in public ownership. Some $126m is also being budgeted on improving the national airways system via the modernisation of ATC capabilities. A further $19. 9m will be spent on increasing the extension of radar coverage along the Queensland coast and to complete the coverage between Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. An additional $6. 5m will be spent upgrading the runways at Perth and Alice Springs while a further $7m will be put aside for upgrading regional airports prior to their being handed over to local ownership under the ALOP scheme. An additional $49m will also be spent over a period of seven years to upgrade existing ATC radar sensors.

What Price an Airtrainer?

Our From The Cockpit feature this issue documents the sad history of Australia’s own Victa Airtourer.

Airtourers of course still provide excellent buys on the used market, particularly if you are into aerobatics. In the story though we ponder the potential value of the RAAF CT-4A Airtrainer fleet when it finally begins to enter the civil marketplace during the nineties. As a guide it is worth noting that in a recent edition of NZ Wings, the only available civil CT-4 listed for sale for a startling $NZ98,500 + GST! When you think that most Victa’s sell for under $NZ20,000 then that is certainly a figure to remember in years to come when you begin to be confronted by squadrons of our own CT-4s at Disposals.

 1988 Airband Directory:

If you pursue airband monitoring as a hobby, then don’t forget that our January edition will host our 1988 Airband Directory.

This exclusive Directory will list all the VHF and UHF frequencies employed at all primary and secondary airports around Australia. If you are into this exciting and fascinating hobby. then this guide will be indispensable for years to come. Don’t miss it!

Aeromil to Sponsor Flying Training Award:

Regional Embraer agents, Aeromil, are to sponsor an annual flying training scholarship in conjunction with the NSW Scouts Association.

The scholarship will take the winning student up to full unrestricted PPL status and could offer an excellent opportunity for that person to further upgrade to a commercial licence in order to then pursue flying as a career. Applicants naturally must be a part of the Scouting movement, be 17 to 20 years of age and be able to pass a medical to CPL standards. For more information contact Brian Chaseling on (02) 667 3881.

Vale-Charles Ligeti:

Sport aviation lost one of its most innovative aircraft designers on September 22nd when Charles Ligeti succumbed to head injuries received following the crash on the first flight of the production version of the Stratos ultralight.

Charles and his revolutionary Stratos held great potential for rejuvenating the long-term light aircraft sector of Australian sport aviation. His design had won international acclaim and in hundreds of hours of test flying, the prototype had not shown any untoward handling tendencies.

Though the production aircraft was slightly different from the prototype, it is believed that while assessing its ultra low speed handling characteristics, Charles got into a steep turn than finally led the aircraft into a deep stall from which it could not recover. At the time he was flying at only 500ft AGL despite there being a clearance in that area for ultralights to operate to 2000ft AGL.

The aircraft was not equipped with the ballistic parachute recovery system that was standard fit aboard the prototype nor was Charles wearing a helmet.

Though obviously a brilliant designer, Charles’s practical flying experience was minimal with him only gaining a PPL in 1985 so as to be able to test fly the Stratos himself. Many within Sport Aviation are now asking whether or not a stricter code of guidelines should be imposed on development flying of new and modified types. Obviously a safe altitude should always be attained prior to any handling work, safety gear such as parachutes and helmets, etc should always be used and test flying should only be undertaken by a pilot with sufficient experience.

Charles’s untimely death marks the third occasion that a leading ultralight designer has died attempting to improve his product. Gordon Bedson in 1984 and Sandor Veenstra a year later proved once more that aviation can be unforgiving. Charles will be sorely missed.

Piper and Mooney Stimulate Market With Lower Prices:

Both Piper and Mooney have announced a range of reduced new aircraft prices to try and rejuvenate the dying US light aircraft market.

Piper announced at Oshkosh during August that they were discounting the new price of all Piper singles by an average 20% in an effort to stimulate sales. Piper have also reduced the price of their spare parts inventory to 1985 levels.

Meanwhile, Mooney have followed suit and shaved $US35,000 off the cost of a 205 to bring it back to $US120,400. Additionally the IFR equipped 252 is now only $US155,000, a saving of just over $US40,000. These prices though are as delivered direct in the US and unfortunately don’t reflect the price we pay here in depreciated Australian dollars.

First University Courses for Pilots:

The University of Newcastle will Offer next year the first university-based course in Aviation to be available in Australia.

A Diploma in Aviation Science will be

introduced with the aim of developing a career route for high-calibre professional pilots for the aviation industry.

Students will qualify for the Diploma after two years of full-time study. It may be converted to a Bachelor of Science degree after a further year of full-time studies.

In addition to the normal subjects required of a pilot which include navigation, meteorology the physics of flight, the course offered by the University will provide an opportunity to study topics in aviation law, aviation medicine, man-machine interaction and resource management.

Integrated with the academic course will be flight training to the level of commercial pilot with full instrument rating. The University of Newcastle has entered into an agreement with the Civil Air Training Academy at Cessnock to provide students with access to this training.

 New Power for an Old Bird:

The venerable DC-3 will always be with us and so will be companies offering conversions on this timeless airlifter.

Latest such conversion comes from US based Aeromodifications International which has been awarded an FAA Supplemental Certificate for its DC-3 conversion which revolves around the installation of Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65R turboprops in place of the piston Pratts of yesteryear. The-65Rs normally produce 1424shp but are derated to 1230shp and drive five blade Hartzell props similar to those found on the Shorts 360. A new instrument panel is fitted with revised avionics as is a new fuel and electrical system. Two aircraft have already been modded and these have satisfactorily demonstrated an increase in useful load, improved climb rate, extended range and a 35kt faster cruise speed.

Correction

On page 26 of our September issue we claimed that our new book, Australia’s Military Aircraft included 250 black and white photos.

We apologise to our readers for misleading them as actually the book finished up with not 250, but rather 427 black and while, plus another 49 rare colour prints.

The original figure was derived from a quick pre-assembly count in order to meet our September issue deadline. Full details of the new book can be found on pages 25 thru 28 of this edition.

People

Four new directors have been appointed to the Board of Qantas. They are Chief Executive John Menadue, Jillian Broadbent, a director of Bankers Trust of Australia, Simon Crean, President of the ACTU and John Horgan, chairman of the WA Development Corp. Alan Perry has been appointed manager, of technical and support services for Sydney based Aeromil. lan Farrow has been appointed as press secretary for the Liberal Party’s shadow Defence Spokesman Mr Peter White. Phil Hurst has been appointed as press secretary for Liberal Party aviation and transport spokesman, Mr Julian Beale. Bob Howe has left CSA to head his own consultancy though will continue as chairman of the Defence Representatives Assn. John King is to head the new Melbourne based Australian division of Avmark. Bryce Ducker has been appointed to head the new Hawker Pacific Mascot-based Beechjet specialist marketing division. Philip O’Connell has been appointed the new national sales manager for MAS. Bill Heggarty, formerly of Aviation Marketing Services, is now a special projects manager with the NSCA. Mr Ted Harris is to succeed Mr Neil Smith, who retired in September, as chairman of Australian. Airlines.

Videos

 Aviation Profile:

PS Film Productions. A new venture from the established PS Film Productions group is this magazine-format video programme which is to be released on a quarterly basis.

Their first Aviation Profile is indeed very well produced and contains footage to inspire even the most jaundiced aviator. Profile 1 for instance contains in-depth reports on the Pilatus PC-9, the aeromedical version of the C-130 Hercules, the DC-10 and a section celebrating the first half century of the beloved DC-3. Also examined is the dreaded wind shear phenomenon and, more importantly, how to beat it, and a unique Canadian rocket system that is also in use with the RAAF. Each segment was extremely interesting, though our hats go off to the brilliant air-to-air footage accompanying the Pilatus PC-9 section. Really makes you envy all those pimply-faced teenagers who are about to get their claws on this superb aeroplane! Aviation Profile is available direct from PS Film Productions, PO BOX 326, Croydon, 3136 for $49. 95 for one or $180 as a one year subscription for all four Volumes.

 Aviation Video Training Programmes:

Avscan Avation Avscan are no stranger to readers of our video review page as we had the pleasure of reviewing their IFR upgrade tape back in our May issue.

Avscan of course is the video training aids division of the Moorabbin-based Peter Bini Advanced Flight Training School which logic- ally specialises in IFR and multi-engine licence endorsements. Their latest tape is dedicated to demystifying the process of upgrading from a single to twin engine licence. Anybody who has ever trod this path will well remember just how much has to be relearnt in terms of operational procedure, etc. It is also often a rather costly exercise as the modern twin does not nowadays come cheaply. By using this very well produced training tape, which is divided into two sections, one dealing with symmetric and one with asymetric operations, then most students should be able to achieve their twin endorsement a little more cheaply.

Our tip is that this is the way to go if you are considering such a licence upgrade. For further information we suggest you contact the school direct on (03) 580 5295.

Books

Aircraft of the Rnzaf:

New Zealand Wings. If you have ever wanted a reference work on just which aircraft have served with the RNZAF then this 64 page book is for you.

For each aircraft there is a historical summary, serial numbers, engine information and a photograph. Additionally, the book includes a historical rundown on the RNZAF that of course links in closely with the military history of our own Services.

Available direct from NZ Wings, PO Box 120, Otaki, NZ for a RRP of $NZ16. 95.

On Yankee Station:

US Naval Institute. It appears that high quality literary efforts detailing the Vietnam air war are now in vogue, and about time too. By high quality, we mean well researched and factual accounts written by the pilots themselves, the only people who really understood the depth of futility at the unthinking hands of their political masters a world away.

Authored by John Nichols and Barrett Till- man, this 180 page book also includes a wealth of often hard to find statistical data on the Vietnam air war. Nichols himself would be undoubtedly one of the most experienced of the air war veterans with a total of 350 combat missions in the F-8 Crusader (the most effective fighter of the conflict in kill ratio terms) on four deployments from 1966 through till 1973.

An added bonus are several chapters at the rear of the book which, with a decade and a half of hindsight, propose how conventional air power could have been used to have actually ended the war in 1965 before it became a political monster Available at selected major bookshops or direct from the US Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland 21402, USA for a RRP of US$16. 95.

Wings of the Luftwaffe:

Capt Eric Brown. A very well presented effort from one of avia- tion’s most professional publishing teams, that of Air International’s (Pilot Press) William Green and Gordon Swanborough. In this case the two have joined forces with Capt Eric Brown, that well known and highly respected expert on military aircraft of the WW2 era.

And Capt Brown should know his subject as he was the first RN pilot to head the elite test pilots’ group at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough. RAE was heavily involved in test flying the various captured German aircraft of the period. While Brown himself was responsible for evaluating these, and others, he also undertook long debriefing sessions with some of Germany’s most famous aviation personalities including Willy Messerschmitt, Ernst Heinkel, Kurt Tank and the incredible Hanna Reitsch. As you can expect the text lives up to its reader’s expectations.

Aircraft analysed, and we might add that the photos are worth the cover price in themselves, are the FW-200C Condor, FW-190 and FW-189, Heinkel HE-162, Junkers JU-87, JU-88 and JU-52, Dornier DO-217, and a family of Messerschmitts including the 109G, 110 and the incredible 163 and 262.

Available from Princeton Books, PO Box 24, Cheltenham, 3192 for an RRP of $34. 95.

Attention – All WA Readers:

Due to an unfortunate motor vehicle accident, all copies of our new book “Australia’s Military Aircraft destined for Western Australia were destroyed.

This means that the only way WA residents can obtain a copy of the book is direct from us. We should have sufficient stocks on hand to meet demand but it would be advisable to order your copy as soon as possible. The book comes with a full moneyback guarantee provided it is returned undamaged to us within a reasonable period.

Cost through the mail is exactly the same as on the newsstands and it will be delivered direct to your home or office. For more information please refer to our advert on p25 of this issue. Send in your order today to: Aerospace Publications PÁL, PO Box 105, Weston Creek ACT 2611.

Usaf Phantoms in Combat:

Lou Drendel. Books and articles on air combat, narrated by the aircrews themselves, are always sure fire winners. I am sure it would also be safe to say that almost anything on either the Spitfire, Mustang or Phantom is also destined to be a hot seller.

In this case Lou Drendel has put together yet another excellently illustrated and written record of some of the most important of the numerous USAF combat missions involving the hulking F-4 Phantom over Vietnam.

The book is produced in the usual Osprey Squadron/Signal combat series soft cover format and retails at around $15 from major bookshops and specialist aviation/defence outlets. Well recommended.

Flight & Adventures of Parer and McIntosh:

Ray Parer This is a most unusual offering as it is actually a reprint of the original book written by Lt Ray Parer following his epic England to Australia flight with Lt Mcintosh in 1919.

The book thus exudes an honest portrayal of life at the time and a world that is now largely known by different names and operating under an economic status undreamt of in those days of postwar reflection. The pioneering aspects of such flights are clearly brought home and indeed the two pilots routinely flew sectors that today would give any private pilot a coronary.

The book is worthwhile reading whether you are interested in aviation or not, indeed it is refreshingly clean in its portrayal of life at that time. Of 362 (small) pages the book is available from Messenger & Co, 333 Church St, Richmond, 3121 for $9. 95.

 Flying Training for the Private Pilot Licence:

RD Campbell. It’s ironic that since this writer has completed his flying training he has been inundated with a variety of excellent PPL training books and videos. They would have made my task a little lighter at the time and I hope that our reviews on same will hopefully aid the squadrons of trainees that are presently entering the system.

Flying Training for the PPL is aimed primarily at the more refined aspects of gaining one’s licence and thus specialises in lengthy and excellently illustrated chapters on the art of instrument flying and the use of radio navigation aids. Anybody who has spent a few hours delving into the finer aspects of VORS and ADFs can certainly appreciate that anything on these marvels is better than thirty minutes of a typical blackboard briefing.

“A recommended book for the latter stages of gaining one’s licence that is available at a RRP of $41. 95 from Blackwell Scientific Publications, 107 Barry Street, Carlton, 3053.

The Air War 1939-45:

RJ Overy. There have literally been hundreds of books written documenting this subject. However, this one is among the best in our view as it encapsulates and backgrounds the vital preparation, execution and aftermath of the air war in a way never before achieved.

To put the great magnitude of WW2 air power into context, the book is broken into different chapters dealing with the various campaigns. It is not just the air combat record that is covered but also that of industrial capacity and the ever present march forward of science and technology. He who mastered the latter two areas, held the eventual grasp of vic- tory.

Available from most bookshops or direct from MacMillan Australia, 107 Moray St, Sth Melbourne, 3205 for an RRP of $19. 95.

 McDonnell Douglas Ah-64 Apache:

Bill Gunston. Another of the Osprey combat series, this book offers a handy guide to the western inventory’s most capable attack helicopter – the AH-64 Apache.

This is the first Osprey book in this series devoted to a helicopter and includes much technical data as to Apache battlefield tactics, future variants and a mooted USN/USMC version optimised for shipboard use. All in all a very useful guide to this most potent-looking combat helicopter.

RRP is $14. 95, available from most bookshops or direct from Princeton Books, PO Box 24, Cheltenham, 3192.

Grumman F-14 Tomcat:

Bill Gunston. Just one of half a dozen in the budget-sized Osprey combat aircraft series, this 50 page colour book on the US Navy’s foremost fighter is both interesting, accurate and very well illustrated. The Tomcat of course not only has been in service now for over a decade and a half but through the vastly uprated F-14D version will be the USN carrier battle group top cover master right through till the end of this century.

RRP is $33. 95, available from most bookshops or direct from Princeton Books, PO Box 24, Cheltenham, 3192.

 Douglas A-4 Skyhawk:

Peter Kilduff. Few aircraft bear their designer’s philosophical imprint quite so glaringly as the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. Edward Heinemann is no less than a legend and the Skyhawk is the ultimate embodiment of his simple no-frills approach to the creation of combat aeroplanes.

Used in combat right through the Vietnam era, in the Middle East and later in the South Atlantic, the diminutive A-4 far exceeded the 7 hopes of its designers and looks set for a long career as a number of countries move to vastly upgrade their A-4s with new avionics, weapon management systems and even new engines. RRP is $34. 95, available from most major bookshops or direct from Princeton Books. PO Box 24, Cheltenham, 3192.

 Airways:

New Zealand Wings. Airways records the history of New Zealand commercial aviation from 1936 through to 1986.

Indeed if you require a reference work on this subject then this is precisely the book for you. Of 96 pages, produced in a hard-backed high quality magazine format, Airways includes a wide variety of colour and mono photos to back up the text.

Available direct from NZ Wings, PO BOX 120, Otaki, NZ for a RRP of $NZ12. 00.

Radar Cross-Section:

E. F. Knott, J. F. Schaeffer & M. T. Tuley. This 462 page title is aimed at the engineer, scientist or manager who comes into contact with radar and its interaction with targets. As such it offers a good overview and the mathematics are kept down to a sensible minimum. Knott and his associates initially review fundamental radar theory and follow up by covering scattering phenomena and prediction of target radar cross-section, systematic radar cross-section reduction techniques, radar absorbent materials and measurement At least one third of the book delves into measurement techniques covering radar cross-section measurement, absorber measurement, outdoor radar cross-section measurement ranges, indoor radar cross- section measurement ranges and data analysis and reduction techniques.

This text is particularly good as it assumes little prior knowledge on behalf of the reader and includes many practical pieces of information to give the reader a solid feel for what is happening. Included are Band designation tables, numerous illustrations, photographs, plots and extensive references (mainly unclassified) at the end of each chapter. A must for those with a professional interest in defence penetration and air defence systems.

Published by Artech House in Massachussets, USA and is available from D. A. Books (Aust) Pty Ltd, 11-13 Station St, Mitcham, 3132, RRP is $98. 25 cloth bound.

Gunfighters:

Michael O’Leary. Subtitled; Airworthy fighter airplanes of WW2 and Korea, this 103 page book is a must for anyone interested in warbirds. If we’re honest then hat probably includes all of us, as who would pass up the chance to ride back seat in a Mustang, Thunderbolt or Kittyhawk? This book details the best of America’s warbirds and includes several Sabre jets that are now on the US civil register.

RRP is $24. 95, available from most bookshops or direct from Princeton Books, PO Box 24, Cheltenham, 3192.