People & Bottom Line

Bottom Line

Air Pacific has announced a record pre-tax profit of $F18. 93m ($A16. 75m) and an after tax profit of $F17. 125m (SA15. 15m) for the year ended 31 March, up from $F16. 85m (SA14. 9m) in the previous year. The result was bolstered by the sale of one Boeing 737 last July. All Nippon Airways reported that its consolidated pre-tax profit dropped 16% to 27. 12bn yen (SA191m) in the year ended 31 March. Higher fuel costs hit hard, because though sales rose 11% to 803. 37bn yen ($A5. 65bn), net profit dropped 24% to 11. 51bn yen ($A81m). PanAm Corp recorded a $US662. 9m net loss in 1990, a massive 97% worse than that of 1989. The actual PanAm airline loss (as distinct from other PanAm operations) was $US654. 3m, this being 49. 7% worse than 1989. Operating revenues rose 10. 6% to $US6. 634bn, however operating expenses were up 14. 1% to $US4. 12bn. Fuel costs were up 49. 6% to $US113. 2m. Dassault posted a consolidated net income of FFr374. 2m (SA93. 5m) in 1990 on revenues of FFr18,805m (SA4,699m). Net profit was FF/218. 2m ($54. 5m).

Books

The Pilot’s Dictionary:

T Bristow This is a useful 148 page book which offers much in the way of dictionary type information for both the pilot and enthusiast.

The paperback dictionary is divided into. several logical sections, from where the reader can find the correct spelling and meanings of aeronautical terms. There are sections on both general and also meteorological definitions and listings, as well as some quite useful Appendices covering such topics as Aviation Medicine, VMC. Morse Code, Signals, and the Quadrantal Rule. It is well set out and user friendly, and is recommended for those seeking a concise aviation dictionary.

Available for $24. 95 plus $3 p&p from Fortress Publishing, PO Box 280, Melville 6156 or Ph (09) 3362067.

 Mosquito:

Nigel Price This 26 page booklet, produced by the UK Royal Aeronautical Society, celebrates the 50th anniversary of the “wooden wonder”. Far from being a detailed history of the Mosquito, the booklet gives a brief overview of the design and construction of the prototype and its production offspring. There are some interesting facts and figures; 30 pics, including several of the prototype and also one each of the rare NEXV and naval TF:37; a brief description of each mark; and construction plans. But perhaps of most interest are drawings for a proposed twinjet bomber variant, which of course never saw the light of day. The booklet does however cost a quite

hefty £4. But if you are keen to acquire a copy, send an IMO or Bank draft in pounds sterling to Nigel Price, Future Projects Dept. BAe (Commercial Aircraft), Airlines Division, Comet Way, Hatfield, Herts AL 10 9TL, UK.

Videos

 Reconnaissance & Intelligence Aircraft:

AVVCommand Vision

This tape is different in that to this reviewer’s knowledge it is the first such effort dedicated to intelligence gathering aircraft.

This phase of aviation of course predates almost everything else with the use of balloons in the American Civil War being con-

considered a major tactical advantage for their

then operators. Similarly, the use of aircraft in WWI was initially based solely on their capability as surveillance platforms for the ground pounders. It was only when one pilot began shooting at his adversary with at

revolver that the seeds of the inevitable air

superiority fighter were sown. From humble acoms do such large trees grow!

One of the most revolutionary aircraft yet built is the Lockheed SR-71, only one of a number of exotic types reviewed in Reconnaissance & Intelligence Gathering Aircraft. In fact, the extensive footage on the Blackbird is amongst the best seen by this reviewer.

Some of the visual highlights of this tape include much footage on that most exotic of all aircraft, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, whilst other types given considerable time include the Boeing E-3 Sentry (AWACS). E-2C Hawkeye, EF-111A Raven, EA-6B Pro- wler and the little Grumman Mohawk. There is also some very interesting and surprisingly unclassified footage of just what an attacking F-16 driver sees via his Lantin pods. This system, which is also aboard the F-15E (now being referred to as the Beagle-Bomber Eagle) tums night into day for the tactical fighter driver and additionally provides a viable terrain following capability similar to that used aboard the F-111.

There is also an interesting segment on RPVs and drones and how they are used by the land commander, and items on the RF-4 Phantom and the Tigereye conversion of Northrop’s F-5E.

An interesting one hour tape that informs and entertains. Available in VHS only direct from Australian Aviation, PO Box 3105, Weston Creek, ACT 2611 for $39. 95 +$5. 00 p&p. Credit card orders taken on (06) 288 1677 or fax (06) 288 2021. Considerable discounts exist on multiple tape orders.

The West’s Naval Combat Aircraft:

AVV/Command Vision As the title implies, this tape includes pro-files on all the types that we associate with both ship and land based naval aviation.

The narration is concise while the filmwork

itself is first rate. It is always an exciting topic, naval aviation, more so than that enjoyed with land based aircraft. The producers have done their best to make this one a winner.

Aircraft profiled include the Grumman F-14 Tomcat, MDC F-4 Phantom, MDC F/A-18 Homet, Vought F-8 Crusader, Grumman A-6 Intruder and EA-6B Prowler, Lockheed S-3 Viking, Grumman E-2C Hawkeye and the AV-8B. Non US aircraft are also heavily featured with some new and interesting footage of RAF Nimrods and French Atlantiques. These latter types generally get little publicity so it is good to see so much time given over to their operations. The Orion also features as does the RN Sea Harrier, the French Super Etendard, Alize and their aged though eternally beautiful Crusaders. A tape for any aviator with salt in his or her veins.

An interesting one hour tape that informs and entertains. Available in VHS only direct from Australian Aviation, PO Box 3105, Weston Creek, ACT 2611 for $39. 95 $5. 00 påp. Credit card orders taken on (06) 288 1677 or fax (06) 288 2021. Considerable discounts exist on multiple tape orders.

 Air Assault:

AM/Command Vision An interesting offering in the Command Vision Modern Land Warfare series that really is more about aviation than land warfare.

Air Assault deals with the various paratroop and units operated by the world’s major powers and consequently revolves largely around the side by side capabilities of aviation. Some very interesting footage of the use of USAF Galaxy, Starlifter and Hercules airlifters in support of such units as the 82nd Airborne show just how effective these units can be in obtaining a foothold in enemy territory well beyond the capability of traditional land insertion.

Other interesting footage includes the British Army and their Lynx helos in support of mobile Milan anti-tank teams and a surprising piece of Soviet video which has the blue and orange forces using live ammunition with some rather fiercesome unarmed combat sequences that leaves one wondering just who the ‘real’ enemy is!

An interesting one hour tape that both informs and entertains. Available in VHS only direct from Australian Aviation, PO Box 3105, Weston Creek, ACT 2611 for $39. 95 +$5. 00 p&p. Credit card orders taken on (06) 288 1677 or fax (06) 288 2021. Considerable discounts also exist for multiple tape orders.