Newsdesk – Military Aviation

“The bonus is only one of a range of measures we are taking in response to pilot losses,” Mrs Kelly said. “Our long-term strategy is to train our way out. What we need Immediatelyis to maintain experience levels so that this training can be cared out without affecting operational flying. That is the very point of introducing the Pilot Retention Bonus. ” “Longer term measures include an increased recruiting and training rate, better manpower utilisation and management, the provision of alternative career streams and increased return of service obligations. But it will take time for the ADF to reap the benefit of these moves. ” The eGovernment has also moved to make all postings good for 3 years, subject to operational requirements with a policy of back to back postings in the same locality being pursued where possible. By accepting the bonus, plots will commit themselves to serve for a further six years. “The offer will apply to qualified pilots with the rank of Wing Commander with four years seniority and below who are in receipt of a Flying Allowance, who are under 37 years of age on May 31, 1988 and who have rendered tax years of service as ped “The offer will also also be available pilots who, between June 1, 1988 and May 31, 1992, complete their sixth year of service as pilots. The Government does not undertake to continue the scheme beyond the current four year period and its effectiveness will be reviewed after three years,” Mrs Kelly said.

to a AA Comment -The lure of airline employment remains strong though as once tax is paid the $70,000 lump sum dwindles away to between $36,000 and $45,000 depending on rank, etc. Australian Aviation believes that unfortunately the scheme will largely fail as the pilots who have made up their minds to seek airline employment won’t be swayed by amounts to only a fraction of what they can earn outside the services. The real winners will be those pilots who are content where they are and who all along intended to remain with the ADF.

by what However, the root problem that is the prime driver in the vast majority of plots leaving is and always has been is that they are generally removed from flying duty during their midto late thirties. With the spectre of only a desk to fly at Defence Central, al, most naturally opt for the high wages, excellent living conditions and long-term quarante flying careers that only the airlines can The day that the RAAF takes the decision to deliberately keep its most talented pilots where they belong, in the front line squadrons, is the day that much of their long-term retention woes will disappear. Till that day, pilots will leave primarily to maintain their flying careers, after all, what real aviator wants to fly a desk?

Raaf Awards Caribou Mainten- Ance Contract to Hawker de Havil-Land Sydney:

Hawker de Havilland at Bankstown has been awarded the contract for Depot Level Maintenance of RAAF Canbouair- craft. The company had previously done this work under terms and conditions that were negotiated noncompetitively. The new contract, for three years with two one year options, is performance based requiring high standards of work, fixed turnaround times and firm manhours at predetermined costs; it changes significantly the way the RAAF and the company will do business This contract is the latest awarded in the RAAF’s programme of competitively tendering maintenance work. The programme is a progressive one aimed at transiñoning RAAF maintenance work now with industry into contracts that are performance based and in line with commercial practices.

Us Forces Pilot Retention Scheme Set for Launch:

Every air arm around the world is these days finding it difficult maintaining viable retention rates in its services.

While Australia has opted for a flat, once only, payment of $70,000 which is subject t to around 50% tax, the USAF and USN are proposing a system that will pay each pilot SUS12,000 per annum for his or her service between years 6 to 12. US tax rates are significantly lower than in Australia so in most cases this would equate to between an extra eight and nine thousand dollars nett per annum for the period that the pilot remains with the services The idea is to bridge the gap between whatis available to some extent in civil aviation, at a time when the military pilot is most attractive to a potential airline employer. Airline employment age limitations though have been consistently extended over the past several years and presently American Airlines are offering US military pilots pilots up to age 45 a 45 a ten year nil- pension contract of $US100,000 per annum to sign on. As few US military pilots of this age escape flying a desk, then the allure of not only remaining behind the controls but also at a very respectable v wage is enough to make the majority want to bail out.

Already for the first half of 1988, USAF separation rates have increased by some 35% over the same period in 1986, while DoD estimates that USAF will be 2,500 pilots shart by 1993 if the trend continues US Navy attr- bon is also critical with the service presently some 1,286 aircrew short. Major defection areas in the USAF are the jet transport/tanker squadrons with one KC-10 Wing set to lose almost every one of its pilots over the coming two years Airline recruiting has soared since 1984 when a mere 3,000 new US airline aircrew positions were advertised. This increased to 6,000 in 1987 and is expected to hit 7,000 this year and remain at that annual peak till at least the late ninetes. Imminent deregulation in Europe and Australia will also create a demand for aircrew that will largely follow the hiring pattern of North America with demand outstripping supply for many years to come.

First GE Powered F-14A Plus Aircraft Delivered to Us Navy Makes Carrier Landing:

A US Navy F-14A Plus aircraft, powered by two GE F110-GE-400 engines, has successfully completed its first carrier suitability trials with the USS Independence, off the coast of Virginia. The first operational F-14A Plus was delivered to the US Navy on April 11. The US Navy has selected the GEF110 eng ine for 127 new and 400 remanufactured F-14A Plus and new F-14D aircraft to be delivered through to the year 2000. GE has been awarded a four-year procurement contract (1987- 1990) for 236 engines. The Navy will eventually require approximately 1,300 engines for the 527 F-14A Plus/F-14D ‘Super Tomcats’. The F-14A Plus will replace the Pratt & Whitney TF30-powered F-14A. The 27,000 pound thrust F110 engine offers a number of improvements, including a 61% reduction in time-to-climb (0-35,000 feet) and significantly reduced maintenance costs. The F110 also operates with no throttle restrictions throughout the flight envelope and requires no afterburner for catapult launch.

The GE engine also offers 62% more deck launched intercept radius, a 43% reduction in acceleration time and a 34% increase in time on station. In addition to its F-14 application, the F110 has been selected by the US Navy to power the F-16N adversary aircraft, by the US Air Force for the F-16C/D and by several international customers for F-16 aircraft.

Calling All Photographers:

Australian Aviation would like to hear from interested photographers who might like to contribute photos to the magazine from time to time. What we are specifically after are those readers who work on airfields, whether they be civil or military, who can photograph the end-less squadrons of interesting aircraft that visit from time to to time. For routine file standard 35mm colour or black and white print shots are totally satisfactory. Just put your name and address on the back with any pertinent data relating to the photo and we can then file them accordingly, when used you will naturally receive the appropriate payment, etc. We are also keen to unearth additional photos, both colour and black and white, for some of our future book projects. Any readers who might have good quality libraries on the Lincoln, Meteor, Dakota, C-130A, Sabre, Neptune, Beaufort, Sunderland, Beaufighter, Mosquito and the Canbou, Canberra and Iroquois in Vietnam might like to contact us on (062) 88 1677.

Iai and Hh Win 707 Tanker Contract:

The Bedek Aviation division of Israel Aircraft Industries, teaming with Hawker de Havilland, have won the RAAF tanker conversion contract. The contract covers the conversion of four of the RAAF’s existing Boeing 707s to tankers using the hose and probe system. This system is applicable to the F-18 Homet but not suitable for tanking the F-111s which require a more expensive boom installation. At some point in the future a boom may be added though this is not presently envisaged as a priority requirement Meanwhile, the remaining two 707s, recently acquired from Saudia, (refer p67 May 88 AA) will be used specifically as transports, thereby freeing up flight hours on the four tanker transports for primary air refuelling tasks. A seventh 707 was purchased as a source of spares and is stored at Richmond along with theother 707s of 33 Sqdn. It is expected that all four tankers will be operational by 1991.

NATO Partners to Acquire Additional Tornados:

It appears certain that up to 130 additional Tornado combat aircraft will be purchased by the governments of the Panavia consortium. Anticipated that the RAF will acquire 26 IDS and 15 additional F. 3 interceptors, the Luftwaffe will get 35 specially configured Wild Weasel Tornados while Italy will get 16 electronic combat and reconnaissance (ECR) aircraft plus perhaps an additional 30 F. 3 ADVS. Jordan has also signed for 8 IDS strike aircraft. If approved, the latest orders would comfortably take total Tornado production well past 1,000 units.

C-130AS Finally Find a Home:

It has taken virtually a decade but at last the bulk of the RAAF’s C-130A Hercules have now been sold. The latest order is for 4 aircraft on behalf of Aboitiz Air Transport Corp of the Philippines. The Hercules will be refurbished at Laverton and will be employed purely for inter-island cargo operations within the Philippines. Reported contract value, which includes a vast array of spares, is $US2. 5m.

Kuwait Selects the F-18 Hornet:

US Gulf ally, Kuwait, has selected the McDonnell Douglas F-18 Hornet over the competing General Dynamics F-16 and Dassault Mirage 2000 as its primary fighter for the nineteen nineties. Kuwait will acquire 40 aircraft direct from the MDC St. Louis assembly line with deliveries commencing late in 1989. Kuwait is geographically very close to the Gulf war zone and presently operates a force of around two dozen Mirage F. 1s, two dozen A-4 Skyhawk lis and a dozen BAe Hawk trainers.

Raaf Mirages for Pakistan:

Reports in the prestigious Jane’s Defence Weekly suggest that Pakistan is interested in acquiring up to 50 ex-RAAF Mirage III fighters at a unit price of $A1. 8m with spares. Pakistan already operates a small force of 36 Mirage IIIE and R reconnaissance versions in addition to around 60 Mirage 5s. Pakistan is also in the process of acquiring 49 General Dynamics F-16s and operates a mixed force of over 300 Chinese Shenyang A-5 and F-6 MiG-17 and 19 derivatives. Pakistan is interested in the Australian aircraft, despite their relatively high hours, because of our excellent maintenance standards and the fact that they are wired to fire the Matra Magic RS50 AAM which Pakistan presently uses. The RAAF’s surviving Mirage force is presently stored at Woomera.

All Boxed up and Ready to Go:

Something that you never think about is the amount of fairly high tech packaging that is specifically designed nowadays to support the aerospace industry. Australian Aviation recently came across a pioneering Australian firm, Compack Packaging while on a recent visit to ASTA’s production facilities. Compack have set out to design and build lightweight yet sturdy packages that companies like ASTA use to ship components and airframe parts around the world. Compack have also put quite an effort into designing bet- ter packaging by way of a DITAC R&D grant and can build to customer’s requirements.

So next time you see a large container destined for Seattle, Long Beach or Toulouse, spare a thought for the Aussie expertise that goes into protecting that shipment in its travels.

Herc Reunion:

This could be dangerous, but if you have ever had anything to do with Lockheed’s venerable Hercules, then attendance at the Herc Association’s annual at RAAF Richmond could almost be compulsory! Scheduled for the 19th and 20th August, the reunion will feature a seminar on the beast itself in addition to a range of activities that are classicly designed to make this one the reunion of reunions! Interested? Then phone Sqdn Ldr Greg Noe on (045) 703111 for the appropriate flight plan.

Efa Gets the Go-Ahead:

The long-stalled European Fighter Aircraft project received official blessing from the governments of Italy, Britain, West Germany and Spain during May.

Production of prototypes will now progress ast the $A13bn project moves towards first flight in 1991 for an entry to service by 1996. Development workshare of the Eurofighter consortium is to be split up 33% each for the UK and West Germany, 21% for Italy and 13% for Spain. Eventual production shares may not reflect these values though, as the member nations have not yet fully defined just how many aircraft they each require.

Also under development is the Eurojet EJ200 engine which will power EFA. Much has been learnt already from from Rolls Royce’s development work with its XG40 development engine programme, which itself is a follow on R&D programme from the RB199 for Tornado. The first prototype EJ200 engine is due to test run late next year and development versions will be ready in time for EFA’s first fight in 1991.

Additional Harriers for Raf:

The Royal Air Force has ordered an additional 34 Harrier II GR. Ss to bring its total commitment to 96 aircraft. The GRS is a developed version of the original Harrier and is an Anglicised version of the BA/McDonnell Douglas AV-88.

With total commitments for 436 aircraft, the Harrier II is in service with the RAF, US Marine Corps, Spanish Navy, the Indian Navy and is under study for a future shipboard role with Japan’s Maritime Self Defence Force.

 World Navies Salute Australia’s Bicentenary:

The greatest peacetime gathering of warships ever seen in Australian waters will take part in the Bicentennial Naval Salute on Sydney Harbour from September 26 to October 4. The highlight of the Bicentennial Naval Salute will be a review of the ships by the Duke of York on October 1 followed by a spectacular fireworks display.

ing Replies to invitations by the Australian Government indicate that at least 32 warships will join 15 Australian ships for the event create the most the most exciting Naval presence ever seen in Sydney. France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the United Kingdom and the United States have confirmed that they will take part.

Aircraft from the various air capable ships of the fleet will also be performing at the Banks- town Air Fair which is to be held at Bankstown Airport on the 2nd and 3rd of October.

Lockheed to Develop Viking Electronic Surveillance Configuration:

Lockheed has won a contract from the US Navy to develop a conversion for a number of existing S-3A Viking ASW aircraft to the shipboard electronic reconnaissance role.

Designated ES-3A, the reconfigured Viking will give carrier based capability to perform which will have some over the horizon electronic surveillance of potentially hostile forces. The aircraft will in turn replace the EA-38 Skywarrior which has performed this role since the sixties. The Viking will be much more efficient with updated equipment and systems and will employ a crew of four instead of seven as on the much larger Skywarrior. The four crew members will also have ejection seats for the first time. Lockheed will now move towards proving the concept via a prototype which wil 60 external airframe-mounted attached. If the development programme is satisfactory then Lockheed v will modify 15 exist ASW S-3A Vikings to to ES-3A configuration during the early nineties. Lockheed delivered 187 S-3s to the USN during the 1970s and the aircraft has been used in a number of roles including specialist Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD), anti-surface warfare, air refuelling and other specialist missions during routine carrier deployments.

Australia and UK to Collaborate on Defence Equipment:

Australia and the United Kingdom will establish new arrangements to increase opportunities for collaboration in defence equipment development, production and procurement.

Both countries had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreeing to exchange information to identify at an early stage those proposals which have the potential for joint development, production and common procurement. An Anglo-Australian steering committee will oversee new procedures being developed to identify and develop collaborative projects efficiently.

“Both Governments wish to capitalise on each others industrial and technological strengths by sharing the development and production of selected defence equipment in achieve their ambition to fly for a major airline in addition to solving Qantas’ primary problem of not being able to attract sufficient highly qualified applicants from the GA environment. the UK and Australia or by undertaking reciprocal purchases, Defence Minister Mr Kim
Beazley said. Past examples of successful cooperation have included the Jindivik pilotless drone, the lkara anti-submarine missile and the Barra sonobuoy system.

TACIT RAINBOW MISSILE COMPLETES FREE FLIGHT TEST MISSION:

An air launched, AGM-136A USAF/USN Tacit Rainbow anti-radar missile recently made its final successful free flight, completing all of its test objectives.

Under full-scale development by Northrop, the loitering, defence suppression missile was launched from a Navy A-6E Intruder and followed a preprogrammed flight path into the designated target . area. Once there, it automatically loitered for a period of time, searching out and identifying an active emitter, then went into its attack mode to destroy the radar target.

Tacit Rainbow (reviewed in depth on p31, May 88 AA) is one of a new breed of so-called smart weapons designed to clear a safer path for tactical aircraft into land or sea combat areas by automatically attacking and disabling air defense radar warning and tracking systems, ahead of the main strike force. Flight testing of Tacit Rainbow began in 1987 and a successful carry flight test was conducted March 2, 1988. Air Force B-52Gsand USN A-6Es will be used for the remaining test programme. Test results will be used to support a low rate production decision in fiscal year 1989.

Thank You

The small staff of Australian Aviation would like to sincerely thank all our readers for their strong support over the past year. Name of the game in publishing is circulation and thanks to you, we have just posted our 16th consecutive bi-annual circulation increase as verified by the Circulation Audit Bureau (CAB). This now gives YOUR magazine an audited circulation of 16,450 copies per bi-monthly issue. Of those 16,450 copies though, nine thousand are still purchased via the newsstand at $4. 90 each. Don’t forget that you don’t have to pay $4. 90 for this magazine and quite honestly we don’t see why you should at least not when you can get it for as low as $3. 16 a copy! Interested, then turn to our centerspread subscription insert for full details and start saving today.