Newsdesk – General Aviation

To overcome this, a group of developers have purchased a site at nearby Lyndhurst, which is part of the industrial sector of Cranbourne and thus unlikely to suffer from residential problems, where they will build a new Casey Field. The new facility is presently in the public comment stage prior to a commencement of works in late 1989. It is hoped that stage one of the airfield, covering basic GA requirements, will be operational by mid 1990 and that by 1992 the entire facility will be functional. This will include the Casey Plaza Hotel, a conference centre, aviation museum, engineering facilities and a business and professional centre in addition to an industrial park.

The new airfield will feature a sealed strip of 1200m, terminal, flying school and an assortment of maintenance facilities. The new Casey Field will be situated alongside the South Gippsland Highway and will be only 7km from Cranbourne and 39km from Melbourne central.

 Ten Ton Falcons:

Dassault’s elegant Falcon series of corporate jets recently achieved a major milestone with the rolling out of the 1,000th aircraft from the company’s Bordeaux factory. The aircraft which brought up the magic figure was Falcon 900 serial number 62, while some 547 Falcon 20/200/ Guardians, 215 Falcon 10/100s and 176 Falcon 50s make up the remainder of the total. The original Falcon 20 first flew in May 1963 and since then the Falcon fleet as a whole has logged nearly 4. 5 million fight hours.

 Us GA Production Just Holding On:

Half year figures released by GAMA have confirmed that the US production of light aircraft is barely treading water in comparison with last year.

While the first quarter showed cause for optimism, results of the second quarter reveal a further decline which has essentially elimina- ted the gains made in the first quarter. Total half year GA production now stands at 551, just 1% up on the same period last year though billings are a good 20% up on last year owing to the greater number of high value corporate jets. Year to date figures for corporate jets is 69 (56-1987 in brackets), turboprops 120 (119), piston twins 36 (42) and piston singles 326 (340). Total billings stood at $US782m against $US652 for 1987 with most of the increase being made up by additional corporate jet sales. GAMA claim that the GA industry will not turn around till effective, reasonable and mor- ally just legislation is passed through Congress to put some reality back into the public liability arena. A new package of such Bills is presently before the US Congress and, if approved, as it hopefully looks as if they will be, then 1989 might well at last be the first year in a new tomorrow for General Aviation worldwide.

New Caa Organisational Structure Announced:

The Civil Aviation Authority will implement a long-term organisational and top management structure on December 1.

The new structure involves a substantial change to the management of the CAA functions, including the abolition of the divisional arrangements inhented from the previous Commonwealth Department administration of aviation.

“The changes recognise that the statutory framework under which the CAA works as an Authority is very different to that of a Department. The new arrangements will provide a more responsive and flexible infrastructure and organisation, to facilitate the provision of services and administer the regulatory framework for aviation in the years ahead,” said Mr Collin Freeland, CAA Chief Executive Officer.

The CAA was established on July 1 this year with an interim structure. It is responsible for setting safety standards and conducting daily regulatory control of the aviation industry. It also has operational responsibility for air traffic control, flight advisory services, communications, navigation and surveillance systems, and rescue and fire fighting services at airports.

Mr Freeland said there was a strong expectation in the industry and the government that the Authority would contain its costs. “A large part of the managerial focus will need to be on this objective. Management of the Authority will also need to adjust to the new era which is emerging, with the economic deregulation of the domestic aviation industry and the increasingly advanced levels of technology being used in civil aviation in Australia. We are also facing the need for a major modernisation and upgrading of our airways systems,” said Mr Freeland.

Starship Performance Close to Programme Targets:

Beech have issued preliminary details on the performance of its new Beech Starship, the first all composite business turboprop.

At mid cruise weight, the maximum cruise speed of the Starship is 336 knots, within 3. 5% of the target announced at the introduction of the programme in 1983. Starship’s range at maximum range power is 1,670nm, within 4% of the programme’s target for the 14,000lb aeroplane. Rate of climb is 3,250 feet per minute, almost exactly matching the predicted climb performance of the aircraft.

Although not designed to equal the speeds of today’s small jets, the big cabin Starship offers range and initial rate of climb performance comparable to many examples of the most popular small jets in service today. The Starship’s interior cabin, however, is as spacious as that of a larger medium size business jet in an aircraft almost half the price. Landing distance (over a 50 foot obstacle) for Starship is 2,675ft at a weight of 13,538lbs. Takeoff distance is 3,380ft at 14,250lbs, Star- ship’s maximum gross takeoff weight.

GAA Wins on Customs Case:

Costly procedures which have been making life difficult for aircraft parts importers will be eased soon following strong representations by the General Aviation Association and its tax consultants, Firmstone & Partners.

Moorabbin members, Superior Aviation, Civil Flying Services, Air Communications and Airprop Services provided most of the ammunition to support the GAA case.

New Customs rules brought in last November had the effect of hurting small importers by requiring large security deposits to be made against ‘potential duty and by forcing them to introduce paperwork systems which duplicated their existing records.

Since that time, operators all over Australia have been paying more for their parts than necessary. The taxpayer gained nothing as genuine aircraft parts are not dutiable if used on an aircraft. In fact, taxpayers would have lost because of similar unproductive burdens being placed on Customs officers who had to process the extra forms.

Contrary to the impression held by Customs, many of the small companies have been in business for longer than some of the big airlines and have in that time established a strong track record.

Charter to Share Same Operational Status as Rpt?:

The Civil Aviation Authority has taken an historic step by releasing an Aviation Regulatory Proposal which would radically change the classification of operations under Air Navigation Regulation 191 according to the General Aviation Association.

The CAA has assessed industry views of a 1986 discussion paper and now proposes to adopt Option 1 in the long term. That called for no special classifications of air service operations.

Initially, CAA will have three categories of operations: (1) Public Transport – which covers both charter and airline services.

(2) Aerial Work – defined as flying for hire and reward (other than public transport). (3) Private Flights which are those not covered by the two commercial categories. The CAÀ sees no need to make a distinction between charter and Regular Public Transport operations. Identical standards of maintenance, pilot qualifications and so on would apply. An additional reason for this change is that restrictions on charter flights over airlines routes have been removed. ANR 197(2) has been taken out of the CARS.

In lieu of the old licences, CAA will issue Air Operators’ Certificates (AOCs). As CAA could refuse licenses only on operational grounds, it considers it more appropriate to ‘certify’ future operations.

In future an operator’s competence will be assessed on three grounds: (1) Previous conduct and experience. (2) Financial viability.

(3) Equipment, organisation, staffing maintenance and other arrangements.

In the Aerial Work category, CAA notes that in the UK and US AOCS are required only for specialised activities such as flying training helicopter external load operations and aerial agricultural operations. CAA invites comment on the desirability of a similar approach in Australia.

A CPL or higher category will be needed for aerial work or public transport operations but the attitude to corporate flying and agricultural or mustering work is uncertain.

One view is that this group should hold a CPL, as in the UK (although club instructors in the UK may fly with a PPL if they are properly rated).

The US practice is to permit PPL holders to conduct these operations providing the flight is incidental to the pilot’s employment and that passengers or goods are not carried for hire and reward. Again, CAA invites comment on pilot licensing.

The perennial cost sharing argument may also be eased if the CAA’s proposed definition is adopted. This says cost sharing is OK if: (1) The operation is not advertised; (2) Crew and other participants share fuel, oil, consumables and any landing or other airport fees; (3) If the aircraft is hired, the hirer may not participate in the operation and participants must share the hire charges as well as the charges in (2). Hire charges shall not include crew costs.

CAA is still evaluating the need to limit the number of persons who could be involved in a cost sharing operation. The US has no limit but the UK allows no more than four people. Com- ment is invited on this point.

 Beating the SFAR41 Blues:

Beech have produced a special low weight version of the King Air, designated the Super King Air 300LW.

The 300LW grosses at just under 12,500lb, 1,500lbs less that a standard Model 300, which means that it also comes in under present Australian and European SFAR41 requirements while offering excellent field performance not available with the standard Model 300.

Retaining the heavier aircraft’s P&W PT6-60A engines of 1,050shp, the 300LW can operate out of airfields as short as 2,000ft at gross weight under sea level ISA conditions. The 300LW also rivals the Starship’s excellent climb rate at a lively 3,2771pm.

Pacific Become Caravan Dealers:

Pacific Aviation have officially become the Cessna Caravan dealer for Australia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

Pacific inherited the Cessna sales network when it acquired Rex Aviation earlier this year. Rex had been the official Cessna distributor for more than 40 years and had in that time been responsible for a Cessna fleet that nowadays exceeds 4,000 aircraft in Australia with a further 350 in New Guinea.

Pacific will actively market both versions of the Caravan via its three primary sales centres at Archerfield, Moorabbin and Bankstown and through its independent affiliates in Adelaide and Perth. The Caravan I is a single engined utility aircraft, of which there are four already in Australia while the Caravan II is essentially a turboprop utility and commuter version of the popular Titan/402 family.

Meanwhile, responsibility for the marketing and sales of the Cessna Citation family of corporate jets remains with the special Citation marketing division, based in the Sydney CBD and headed by Monty Maughan.

 Turbine Malibu Progresses:

Piper is now examining two engine options on its turboprop variant of the Malibu high performance piston single.

The initial Piper programme has been using a derated 400shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-11 engine while more recently the racing division of Bobby Allison (who races under Piper sponsorship) has test flown its own conversion using the much smaller, and lighter, Allison 250-817F.

Piper is now planning to evaluate both models extensively prior to making a final deci- sion on which variant to ultimately place in production.

Comanches in the Clear:

Owners of Piper Comanche light singles can breathe a sigh of relief folowing the Federal Aviation Administration’s rescinding of an airworthiness directive which required wing spar crack inspections every 100 hours for all PA-24 aircraft.

Inspections of numerous Comanches with over 1,500 hours logged have revealed no cracks, thus the cancellation of the AD. Piper built nearly 5,000 of the popular four seaters between 1956 and 1972.

People

Mr Robin Belford has been appointed as the first Specialist Trade Commissioner, Aerospace with the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade). Mr George Cheneval has been appointed spares and support services for Aeromil. Numerous changes at Ansett with Mr Alan Yates now being in charge of all overseas operations, including Ansett NZ while still having responsibility for AWAS. Mr Tom Dery is now Assistant General Manager Ansett, Mr John Bibo is Assistant GM Technical, Mr Gary Smith becomes Assistant GM Finance while Mr John Corcoran becomes Director of Regional Airlines. Mr John Buchanan has been appointed as CEO of Ansett New Zealand. Mr Graeme McMahon has taken over the role of GM of Ansett Airlines from Ted Forrester, who has retired. Mr Paul Jeans is the new CEO of BHP Aerospace & Electronics. Mr Peter Morris MHR has been replaced by Mr Gary Punch MHR while Senator Gareth Evans is replaced by Ralph Willis MHR in their respective Aviation & Transport ministerial portfolios.

The Bottom Line

• Rolls Royce has announced a pre-tax profit for the first half of 1988 of £63m, up £3m on the same period last year. Australian Airlines recorded a record operating profit for 1987/88 of $61. 6m, ten times that of the previous year’s figure. Group profit after tax was $46. 8m while passenger kilometres rose by 10. 5%. News Corp (part shareholder of ATI) logged a 1987/ 88 profit of $464. 5m. Boeing reported a profit of $US160m for the second quarter of calendar ’88 on turnover of $US4. 7bn. • McDonnell Douglas has reported a profit of $US70. 4m for the second quarter of ’88 on turnover of $US3. 5bn. Air New Zealand (refer NZ News) has reported a net profit of $NZ70. 4m for 87/88. ANZ group revenue rose to $US1. 5bn while passenger kilometres rose by 8% for a load fact of 70%. Air Pacific has posted a record profit for the year to March 30 of $A2. 1m.  United Airlines has reported a second quarter net profit of $US124m, its best ever quarter. For the year to June 30, UAL’snet profit was $US152m against a loss of $US1m last year. Systemwide load factor stood at 70% against a breakeven LF of 61. 1%.

Books

The Cutting Edge:

Charles J Heatley Charlie Heatley is a long time F-14 pilot who also imbibes a passion, and dare we say extreme talent, for photography. Put the two together and you have a book that would do justice to the coffee table of any aviation enthusiast.

Of 152 large format pages, the book concentrates on its excellent colour pictorial content backed up by anecdotes and mini interviews with a wide assortment of naval aviation people. Ranging from the cat launch crews through to the many pilots of differing aircraft types and the men who keep those aircraft aloft, their witty insights and commentary more than do justice to Heatley’s excellent photography.

If Santa Claus was an aviator he’d have one of these for himself, and so will you when you see it! The Cutting Edge sells for an RRP of $69. 96 and is available from major bookshops or direct from Princeton Books, PO Box 24, Cheltenham, 3192.

Spitfire, Mustang & Kittyhawk in Australian Service:

Stewart Wilson This is the first of the new Australian Airpower Collection and features the three great prop driven fighter aircraft of the forties.

As the title implies, this is the complete story of each of these great fighters in Australian service. The 186 page book details their design and evolution abroad in addition to offering a complete analysis of their use in RAAF operations in addition to the RAF squadrons where Aussies featured heavily.

Of great importance though is that each of the 2,002 aircraft are tabled separately indicating serial number, batch number, delivery date and their eventual fate. This is the first time that this vast array of data has been publicly avail- able and took the author a not inconsiderable amount of time to compile this unique documentation of Australian aeronautical his- tory.

The book is backed up by an excellent pictonal content, many from previously unseen private collections and also contains some 31 excellent colour pics. Other Australian Airpower Collection titles will feature the Meteor, Sabre and Mirage (due out next Easter) and the Lincoln, Canberra and F-111 in Australian Service (out Oct ’89) Available direct from Aerospace Publications, PO Box 105, Weston Creek, ACT, 2611 for only $19. 95 post paid or from major news agencies Australia wide.

The Smithsonian Book of Flight:

Walter J Boyne This book was commissioned by the Smithsonian Institution to record the history of flight, from before the Wrights till the present As you can imagine, anything with the famed Smithsonian hallmark is worth a good look, this 288 page book being no exception.

Lavishly illustrated, the book narrates the history of flight and the landmark developments through the years as pioneer aviators and their machines, who were always working at the cutting edge of the performance envelope, set out to conquer what we today largely take for granted.

Available from most major bookshops for an RRP of $59. 95, this book is also available to AA readers at a special price of $49. 95 from Transworld. Publishers, Private Bag 6, Moorebank, 2170.

Australian Air Power Today:

Greg Meggs This 104 page book details the various elements comprising the aviation component of the ADF. The book includes 220 photos with detailed captions including 24 pages in full colour. The specific tasks of each type is explained in addition to how they are kept operational It is also pleasing to report that this book gets the all important aircraft designation correct. For instance, C-130 is just that and not C130, P-3 is not P3 and so on. If we had a dollar for every book written in recent times that continually gets the designation wrong, then we would have enough money to start our own library. well done Greg.

Australian Air Power Today is available from most major bookshops or direct from Kookaburra, PO Box 648, Dandenong 3175 at a special introductory price of $45 p&p inc.

Observers Book of Aircraft – 1988:

William Green What can you say about this little gem that hasn’t already been said. The Observers is the first thing any true aviation enthusiast buys each year, sort of a poor man’s Jane’s if you like but just as useful as a day to day ready reference on the types that are presently in production or about to enter service.

This year’s edition is the 37th and is of 260 pages detailing 140 different fixed and rotary wing aircraft backed up by more than 250 photos. New types listed this year are the Airbus A320, Boeing 737-400, Ilyushin Il-96, Tupolev Tu-204, Bell/Boeing V-22 Osprey. ATR 72 and details on the upgrades affecting the vintage A-6, A-7 and FRS MK2 Sea Harrier. Available from most major bookshops or direct from the Technical Book & Magazine Company, 289 Swanston St, Melbourne 3000 for an RAP of $12. 95 (plus $2. 50 p&p).

 Flying Dragons:

Robert Mikesh There are a score of books on the US air war in Vietnam though to our knowledge this is the first on the South Vietnamese Air Force.

As such, the 224 page book neatly documents the birth of that air arm, as a virtual auxiliary unit of the French colonial air force of the post WW2 era through to eventually becoming the largest air arm in Asia The chapters narrate the interesting story of how the Vietnamese, without much real technical background, took on the task of placing great numbers of relatively complex US aircraft into their rapidly growing air force. Just how the force integrated with its American mentors on a day to day basis and most telling, how it declined in stature in those final weeks before the eventual surrender of the South Vietnamese Government in Easter of 1975.

Flying Dragons is available at most major bookshops.

 Instrument Rating & Multi Engine Briefing Notes:

Peter Bini Peter Bini’s Avscan Aviation is probably better known for their range of instructional videos relating specifically to the above tasks. What is not widely known is that Avscan also have a comprehensively illustrated manual available to either be used individually or in concert with the tapes. The 104 page manual covers everything you need to know including the mysteries of ADF, VOR, etc and covers the entire instrument rating and multi-engine area with easy to understand text and a large number of training exercises. If you are looking to upgrade to a command instrument rating then this book would certainly be an asset Available for $45 direct from Avscan Aviation, PO Box 141, Cheltenham 3192.