Newsdesk – General Aviation

Collins in Melbourne:

Avionics company Collins has opened a new service centre at Tullamarine near Melbourne Airport. The new facility follows the establishment of the original Avionics Service Centre 25 years ago and has become necessary due to continuing business growth in the Australian and South East Asian area and the need to provide ongoing satisfactory customer services. Collins is part of the large Rockwell group which is the preferred tenderer for the proposed avionics upgrade of the RAAF’s General Dynamics F-111s.

 First Australian Brasilia Enters Service:

Australia’s first EMB-120 Brasilia (refer cover) has entered revenue service with Queensland based Flight West Airlines. Flight West will use the 30 passenger, 300kt cruise speed Brasilia on their Bris- bane, Longreach, Mt. Isa and Townsville routes, flying three frequencies a day to these destinations. The second Brasilia is scheduled for delivery this October with the final two in March and August of 1991. In all, the airline expects to be operating up to 10 Brasilias within four years as it expands its route network. Average duration of each flight is 2. 2 hours and it is planned that each aircraft will fly around 60 hours a week.

Flight West’s Brasilias will be the hot and high version powered by 1,800shp Pratt & Whitney PW118A turboprops which maintain maximum power output up to a temperature of ISA¢27Ċ at sea level. Flight West Airlines is a sister company of Dennis Buchanan’s New Guinea based Talair which is still operating under an interim arrangement of unknown duration.

Flight West was formed in May 1987. The airline has a fleet of some 20 aircraft comprising a mix of EMB-110 Bandeirantes, Beech Barons, King Air 2008, Twin Otters and Islander twins. It employs 120 people. half of whom are pilots.

 Supersonic Business Jet Engine Agreement:

An agreement has been reached between Rolls-Royce and the Russian companies of Sukhoi and the Lyulka Design Bureau that could lead to the development of a new engine for a supersonic business jet.

The agreement follows on from the announcement last year that Gulfstream and Sukhoi intend to cooperate in the development of a supersonic business jet. Under this latest agreement, Rolls-Royce and Sukhoi will, over the next year, determine the engine configuration and main characteristics before design work is actually begun. Further development will depend on a business evaluation, finance, and the approval of both the British and Russian Governments to launch the joint project.

Calendar of Aviation Events (Courtesy Aopa):

Jul 21: Airshow 90′. Mt Isa Airport, in aid of RFDS. Contact Phil Croughan (077) 44 1431 or Fax (077) 44 1460.

July 28: Pilot Awareness Seminar, Tam- worth NSW. Tony Wilkinson (06) 280 4221. Aug 4-12: Airtourer Assn Qld Safari. Con- tact John Treble (03) 336 2056.

Aug 15-Sep 7: Royal Newcastle Aero Club Flying Safari Around Australia. Contact Ber- nie Sarroff (049) 32 8888 AH (049) 30 1577. Aug 25: Pilot Awareness Seminar, Horsham Vic. Tony Wilkinson (06) 280 4221.

Sep 2-9: Farnborough International Air Show, Hampshire, UK. SBAC, 29 King St, St James, London SW1Y6RD, UK. Phone UK (01) 839 3231.

Sep 24-25: Flight Instructors Symposium conducted by the Australian Assn of Flight Instructors. Bankstown International Hotel. Contact Aminta Hennessy (02) 708 5155 or Bernie Sarroff (049) 301577.

Sep 29: Pilot Awareness Seminar, Long- reach Qld. Tony Wilkinson (06) 280 4221. Sep 30-31, Oct 1: Gala Fly-In, Coffs Harbour & District Aero Club.

Sep 29-30: Donnington Airshow and Country Fly-in (supporting the RFDS) Donnington Airpark, Woodstock NQ. C Smith (077) 751718, PO Box 10, Aitkenvale, 4814.

Oct 12-14: Coffs Harbour Fly-in International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians. Con- tact Ray Wells (02) 868 3314.

Oct 12-14: Sunshine State Air Race, Bathurst to Maroochydore. Details P Hay- thorpe (071) 43 4306, (071) 43 1379.

Oct 18-19: Aviation Law Assn Seminar, Surfers Paradise Cindy Last (008) 334143. Oct 20-21: Great Tiger Moth Air Race. Venue Royal Newcastle Aero Club, Maitland NSW. Contact Bill Hitchcock (049) 49 8189.

Oct 21: Gathering of Eagles – Warbirds and Antique aircraft. Royal Newcastle Aero Club. Contact Bill Hitchcock (049) 498189.

Oct 26-29: Australian Bonanza Society Flyaway to Mildura. Contact Sandra Daniel (053) 84 4237 or Mark Davey (03) 787 4530.

Oct 27: Round 3 and Presentation Dinner, NSW Interclub Flying Competition at Goul- burn. (Hosted by Canberra Aero Club). Con- tact John Clardi (045) 72 5724.

Oct 27: The Moruya Aero Club Annual Parkes-Lassau Flying Competition. Contact Moruya Aero Club (044) 74 2182, John Sal- mon (044) 711897.

Nov 13-15: Australian Aviation Trade Fair, National Convention Centre, Canberra (06) 249 8015.

Nov 17: Pilot Awareness Seminar, Port Lincoln SA. Tony Wilkinson (06) 280 4221. Nov 24: Pilot Awareness Seminar, Perth WA. Tony Wilkinson (06) 280 4221.

New Runway for Jandakot:

The FAC is to invest $500,000 in a new runway at Jandakot, Perth’s primary GA airport. The new runway will allow Jandakot to expand its operations and will enable ATC to direct a high percentage of training movements away from the populated Leeming area.

Pacific Is First:

Further to the announcement that Qantas can now issue Certificates of Airworthiness for its own aircraft (refer Newsdesk last month) as part of the CAA’s new policies in that area, Banks- town based Pacific Aviation has become the first Australian GA company to be granted a similar privilege.

Pacific is a distributor for Piper and Cessna aircraft and a parent company of Aerospatiale Helicopters Australia, distributor of the Tobago/Trinidad range of light aircraft. The company can now process the Certificates of Airworthiness for these and most other types it imports and distributes.

One for Us!:

In the best lawsuit news to come the way of general aviation in recent times, an American jury has found in favour of Piper Aircraft Corporation in a case where a passenger and representatives of a dead pilot sought $US12. 6m damages following the crash of a Super Cub.

The plaintiffs alleged the aircraft was negligently designed and not crashworthy after it had gone over the side of a steep hill and into a ravine when the pilot lost control on landing. The jury found completely in Piper’s favour and adjudged the pilot to be solely responsible for the crash. At last, a glimmer of common sense!

Financial Problems for Lopresti Piper:

The recent financial problems at Piper Aircraft are now flowing on to its associate, LoPresti Piper.

LoPresti Piper’s parent company, Romeo Charlie, which also is majority owner of Piper Aircraft, has decided that it will not fund the LoPresti Swiftfury certification project until it has found investors willing to inject additional cash into Piper Aircraft. Piper Aircraft’s financial problems reportedly exist because of a too rapid expansion program, despite a $US178m order backlog. As a result of the problems, LoPresti have been forced to continue their Swiftfury project-a radical modernisation of the Globe Swift withdrawn from production during the 1950s-on their own.

The company continued the building of three prototypes of the Swiftfury, and should still be able to complete the flight test pro- gram. It has, however, in a move to attract more customers, now removed the requirement that potential customers deposit $US10,000 as an indication of their willingness to buy the aircraft; this deposit has been replaced by a $US50 reservation fee. At least 416 Swiftfury aircraft have been reserved by potential customers, 360 of whom paid the $US10,000 deposits.

Obituary – John Alfred Masling AO:

It is with regret that we record the passing on 22 May of one of Australia’s aviation pioneers, Jack Masling.

The son of a Peak Hill bullock wagon operator, Jack was a self taught mechanic who entered the automotive industry in the 1930s before moving to the aviation industry during the late 1950s as a Cessna distributor. It was Jack who in 1965 introduced the concept of the commuter airline to Australia with one aircraft. When due to failing health he sold the airline to Ansett in June 1981, it had grown to 14 aircraft, (including Queen Air, Bandeirante, Twin Otter and DC-3), had a staff of 170andcarried 200,000 passengers annually.

The introduction of the Bandeirante into Australia in 1977 was due to his efforts. He was also well known for his activities as a designer and manufacturer of agricultural machinery and aviation test equipment; for motor racing, including the Redex around Australia trials; for his part in the London to Sydney Air Race; and for his work in the community.

Jack is survived by his widow Kath, son Tony and daughters Joan and June.

 Toyota Developing Aircraft Engine:

Toyota Motors is developing a version of its 260hp, 3. 8 litre, 4 valve V8 Lexus automobile engine for light aircraft use.

The company is expected to obtain FAA certification for the electronically controlled, quad cam multi valve turbocharged engine, though at this stage it is not known whether it will actually go into production.

A Toyota engine such as this would provide a welcome change to the predominantly 1930s technology piston engines still on the market.

 Gulfstream’s No to Conversions:

Following a study in response to requests from operators of the Gulfstream II and III corporate jets, Gulfstream Corporation has indicated it would not be worthwhile converting these Rolls-Royce Spey powered variants to the quieter and more fuel efficient Tays which power the latest version, the Gulfstream IV. Gulfstream Il range performance with the Tay and eight passengers would be limited due to the need to offload about 1,000lb of fuel to stay within the aircraft certified maximum ramp weight. The Gulfstream III would suffer even more due to its lower available payload. Both versions would have to be recertified at higher weights to benefit from a Tay conversion, an extremely expensive process.

Wind tunnel testing has revealed that both the Gll and Gili with Tays would suffer degraded high speed cruise performance due to the Tay’s larger nacelles, both may require the GIV’s horizontal tail to cope with deep stall recovery and centre of gravity problems (which in turn would require a large ballast load), and major structural modifications to most parts of the airframe, cockpit instrumentation, environmental and electrical systems would be needed.

Meanwhile, Gulfstream and Rolls-Royce are working on a “quiet Spey” modification for the Gill and Gill which could also have advantages for operators of the BAC 111 and Fokker F28.

First Wings/Prize Ceremony for Uni Course:

The Institute of Aviation at the University of Newcastle conducted its first Wings and Prize dinner at the Newcastle City Hall in May.

The University program, now in its third year, moves into its final development phase next year with the introduction of the Bachelor of Science (Aviation). Currently students enrol in either the Diploma in Aviation Science or Bachelor of Science.

The new program includes not only engineering, engines, systems, meteorology navigation and so on, but has an emphasis on human factors, management and law. A special course on Australian aviation law has been written for the program. The course also includes a mandatory work experience program to ensure students obtain a balance of practical knowledge and ability.

Reality Rules:

Reality has finally ruled the day with the Queensland Government dropping its requirement that the purchaser of Its BAe 125-800 corporate jet also allow the aircraft to be used at will for organ transplant purposes.

The requirement resulted in a minimal degree of interest at a time when corporate jet sales have gone soft due to the prevailing economic climate. Whilst the aircraft will now be offered for a straight sale, it is also likely that it may well be retained if insufficient interest is generated at a viable price.

Logo Design Competition – Win $500 Cash!:

The Australian Sport Aviation Confederation (ASAC) was formed in late 1989 as the national confederation of sport and recreational aviation organisations.

On 1 January 1990 it became the Australian representative of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), the world governing body for aeronautical/astronautical records and the aviation sports.

ASAC requires a logo and is offering a prize of $500 cash for the winning entry in this logo design competition. Entries must be in by August 31. Details of the competition can be obtained by phoning (06) 281 6830.

Australia’s First Air Auction Attracts Interest:

Australia’s first major air auction (refer pp. 50/51 May 90 AA) attracted 53 aircraft with more than 20 lots worth a collective $1m being sold under the hammer.

Many more are being privately negotiated including some which arrived too late to be included in the pre-Auction advertising. Air- craft types included a pristine Harvard, which at $90,000 has to be a gilt edged investment, a DC-3, Aeronca Chief and a rare Sikorsky S-55B helicopter. The organisers are now planning a similar auction for early October and expect even more support now that the first has passed successfully.

People

Mr David Hoare has been appointed Chair- man of Hawker de Havilland Ltd. Mr George Cecil has been appointed the new General Manager of Polynesian Airlines, based at Apia, Western Samoa. Mr Ron Brown has been appointed to the Board of Australian Airlines. Mr Ron Yates has been appointed to the Board of the Civil Aviation Authority.

Bottom Line

• TNT have reported a loss of $35. 13m for the first quarter 1990. This is the result of currency exchange rate losses and the effects of the final weeks of the domestic pilots’ dispute on Ansett and East-West, in which TNT have a 50% stake. News Corporation Ltd have reported a 74. 1% fall in net profit for the nine months to March 31. This reflects a higher interest bill, losses by Sky Television in the UK, and not surprisingly losses incurred by Ansett during the pilots’ dispute.

• Singapore Airlines achieved a pre tax profit of $A1. 02bn during the 1989/90 financial year, up 31. 7% over the previous year. Net profit was $A840m. Aeronautica Macchi announced a 5. 4bn lire ($A5. 8m) net profit for the 1989/90 financial year.

• Boeing have reported sales of $US6. 435 billion and net earnings of $US302m for the first quarter of 1990. Commercial sales are expected to remain strong, but US defence budget pressures and technical problems will result in an operating loss on defence and space business during 1990. McDon- nell Douglas earned $US2m on revenues of $US3. 825bn during first quarter 1990. This compares to a $US10m loss on revenues of $US3. 216bn for the same period last year.

• Lockheed reported first quarter 1990 net earnings of $US69m on sales of $US2. 3bn. 76% of sales were to the US military, 13% to US Government non-military agencies, 8% to commercial customers and 3% to foreign governments.