Newsdesk-General Aviation

Various proposals to the FAC to continue occupancy at Bankstown failed, but now the FAC has indicated it will cooperate to develop a business plan which will enable the club to continue at Bankstown, albeit on a smaller scale.

The RAC of NSW is a very special part of Australian aviation history, and although it is a business like any other and as such deserves no special favours, it would be a shame to see it disappear completely. There is no doubt that the club’s management has been lacking in many areas over the past few years. If it is to be given another chance, it must first prove it is capable of operating in the modern era of business and not just on the ‘old school tie’ principle.

Malibu Investigations:

Investigations into the inflight breakup of seven Piper Malibu pressurised light aircraft have led to a new direction in finding the possible cause.

No airframe or design problems have been uncovered and all evidence has pointed to a random and so far unidentified problem with the Malibu’s Bendix/King KAP-150 autopilot. Investigators now suspect that high intensity radiated fields (HIRF) might have caused the autopilots to indulge in “sudden and unusual excursions”, particularly in the pitch axis.

The US National Transportation Safety Board has received some 300 reports from KAP-150 users (not just in Malibus) complaining of such excursions, most of which were able to be controlled by disengaging the autopilot. The KAP-150 was certified in the early 1980s, before radiated fields testing was required.

Investigations into the phenomenon are continuing to see if there is any connection and data gathered will be applied to not only the Malibu but other aircraft as well.

 Naips Project to Proceed:

Commercial and private pilots in Australia will soon have access to a highly efficient computer based preflight briefing system designed to reduce costs for the aviation industry.

The new system, the National Aeronautical Information System (NAIPS), will provide all necessary preflight information automatically. Pilots will be able to obtain Notices to Airmen (NOTAMS) and weather information, and submit flight plans, by phone, fax and personal computer. NAIPS, to go ahead after an extensive review by the Civil Aviation Authority, will be implemented from July next year at a cost of $23. 5 million.

Re-Engined Gulfstreams Will Be Quiet:

Gulfstream Aerospace has given a money back guarantee that all its ‘New Again Gulfstream II, IIB and III corporate jets will comply with the latest Stage 3 noise requirements.

The New Again program involves earlier Gulfstream models which are powered by relatively noisy Rolls-Royce Spey turbofans (the current GIV has much quieter RR Tays) and comprises the fitting of a noise suppressor kit developed in conjunction with the engine manufacturer. Tests have revealed. that the kit enables the aircraft to comply with Stage 3 requirements. The kits will be available in 1993 and will cost about $US2m installed.

 Beech Offers Starship Leases:

In an effort to boost disappointing sales of its all composite Starship pusher corporate turboprop, Beechcraft has introduced an innovative leasing scheme for prospective customers.

The scheme revolves around a two year lease with the option to buy available at any time. The idea is to get customers into the aircraft and then have them want to stay with it. Customers leasing a Starship will have to make an approximately $US70,000 security deposit with monthly rental payments of about $US35,000. The lease price includes 720 hours of flight time, maintenance and training while the customer will be liable for insurance, fuel and other costs. To date, just 11 Starships have been sold, three years after certification. A total of 21 airframes have been allocated thus far, of which half are prototypes or demonstrators. The latest customer is Beech’s parent company Raytheon.

Meanwhile, sales of US corporate aircraft have been badly affected by the USA’s luxury tax, including the loss of more than 20 King Air sales. Of great interest is the fact that most of these potential buyers said they could pay the tax but refused to do so as a matter of principle. The fact that luxury taxes do nothing but inhibit business, growth and therefore employment was graphically illustrated in Australia recently with the short lived luxury tax on prestige cars.

Abaa Safety Seminar Attracts Top Speakers:

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Australian Business Aircraft Association and to commemorate the event the ABAA will hold a safety seminar at the Melbourne Jet Base on Nov 21 & 22.

The ABAA Committee feels that those involved in the business aircraft community should take a greater role in all aspects of safety. The ABAA will therefore be staging a special seminar to allow member companies to participate in the exploration of key issues involved with recent changes, and their effect on aviation safety for business aircraft. The seminar will bring together a wide array of guest speakers, such as the CAA’s CEO, Frank Baldwin and General Manager of Safety Regulations and Standards, Ron Cooper, Ron Yates, author of the “Yates Report”, which reviewed policy for first of type certification and Dennis Thompson, President of the Aviation Industry Association of New Zealand.

The speakers will provide inspiring information and encourage discussion on topical safety issues such as ageing aircraft, the New Zealand deregulation experience and continuing and maintaining airworthiness. For details contact Pam Drummond on (03) 379 1477 or fax (03) 379 1003.

About Time!:

Occasionally one sees a good idea publicised that makes you wonder why it wasn’t actively promoted before.

One such idea that in fact graces the pages of this issue of AA is the promotion by Kingsford Smith Aviation Services (which was actually begun by Sir Charles himself and is nowadays owned by AFTS) of a simple $1,950 payment to go solo. Big deal you say. well it might be interesting to learn how many people might be out there that don’t want to become an airline pilot, don’t want to aerobat a Pitts and don’t want to even troll around the skies from one airport to another – but they would, for a relatively affordable cost, like to gain a student licence and achieve a solo, just to be able to say they have actually flown a plane by themselves.

Congratulations to Smithy’s for having the nouse to identify a potentially new market amidst a world of clones.

Examinations by Fax:

To be introduced early next year by the Civil Aviation Authority is ExamFax, a computer based system which will use a facsimile machine to transmit flight crew licence examinations from Conducting Officers and flying training schools wishing to participate.

A bank of questions appropriate to each type of exam will be loaded into a computer which will randomly select test items and produce a discrete examination for each candidate. The questions are transmitted to the Conducting Officer and then the candidate’s answers are faxed back to the ExamFax computer.

The computer then faxes the answer key back to the CO who can mark the candidate’s paper on the spot. Later on, ExamFax will automatically mark the answer sheet, transmit the result to the CO and update the candidate’s record.

 Massive Christmas GA Fly-in at Evans Head:

Organisers are expecting a big roll-up at a GA fly-in at seaside Evans Head in northern New South Wales between December 27-29 this year.

It’s gearing up to be one of the biggest informal fly-ins of its kind ever staged on the east coast and aviators with flying machines of all shapes and sizes have indicated interest in the event. The aim’s to promote safety and to educate the GA fraternity of the diversity of aircraft which have emerged over the last decade, especially in the ultralight field.

Space is limited and those wanting camping space on the former WWII Evans Head aerodrome should contact Bob Goodey on (066) 874 225 or Allan Rundle on (066) 828 188 (Haldon Boyd)

Faster Pilot Briefings:

A new pilot briefing system designed to save time and money is operational in Brisbane. An Australia wide network will follow.

The system is being used as a testbed for developing procedures when the National Aeronautical Information Processing System(NAIPS) is introduced next year. The new system enables a pilot who might have previously had to attend a briefing office, get weather and NOTAMS and then lodge a flight plan in writing, to simply call the briefing office from home or office and obtain the information by ‘phone or arrange to have it sent by fax. A flight plan can then be sent by fax.

New Heron Operation:

Heron Airlines, a new charter operation has commenced services from Sydney Airport.

The first of up to three Herons is due to come on line in the coming weeks with the registration VH-NJI; it sports a 15 seat configuration and an onboard lavatory. It is powered by four Avco Lycoming 290hp piston engines. The first aircraft will also play a supporting role in the Aircruising Australia operation. When numbers exceed available Titan seats, but don’t meet F27 capacity. It is anticipated that the demand will run to several trips each month.

VH-NJI will also display the name “Arthur Butler” to honour the founder of Butler Airways, who first introduced Herons to Australia. The aircraft has seen service in Fiji, the US, Canada and Turkey and is still operated by Airlines of Tasmania. (Peter Gamble) Radar

Radar Advisories Trial:

Advisory Services (RAS) for aircraft operating outside controlled airspace are being trialled in limited areas of Victoria and South Australia.

PETER JONES 3 MICHAEL SMITH O The fight’s on and Jones is now leading three-nil against his increasingly out of pocket rival, Michael Smith.

You see, Peter is a direct mail subscriber and again received his October AA days before Michael could get it on the newsstands. What’s more, Peter pays just $3. 45 a copy for his early delivery AA whilst Michael still forks out the full $4. 90. Last month Peter received his October issue AA on Thursday 26 September whilst the earliest that Michael could have purchased his copy was Wednesday 2 October. This is now the third month in a row that this has occurred! By taking a two year subscription, Peter saved almost $30 compared with buying AA at the newsstand. On top of that he also received free of charge our Say Again dictionary of aeronautical acronyms, a booklet which usually retails at just under $10. Also, as Peter works in the aviation industry he is also able to claim his subscription as a legitimate tax deduction, a further saving in real terms that newsstand buyers can’t really take advantage of in a practical sense. ” If perchance you are not a subscriber then check out our great deal on page 19 of this issue – it can save you both considerable time and money.

“Our new mailing process is getting AA delivered quicker than ever with a majority of subscribers on the eastern seaboard now routinely getting their magazine before the weekend prior to newsagency release. “Check with your accountant for precise details.

The RAS provides IFR traffic with information on possible conflicts, while the same information is given to VFR traffic on request. The Victorian trial is in the western quadrant of uncontrolled airspace to a distance of 35 miles from Melbourne and SA’s covers a quadrant from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island. The trials will be completed in mid-December, after which they will be extended in coverage at Melbourne and Adelaide.

Between then and the middle of 1992, services will be available at Perth, Cairns and Coolangatta while Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra will get only partial services due to equipment limitations.

Bae/Ansett Tamworth School Becomes Operational:

Although not yet fully completed, and not destined to be officially opened until February 1992, eight Ansett cadets commenced the first course at Tamworth on 8 October, 1991.

Each course is expected to take 12-14 months. Initially, the cadets will fly the CT-4B trainer, Manufactured by ASTA owned Pacific Aerospace New Zealand. Like at Prestwick, it is felt that Piper aircraft would be more appropriate to complement the training fleet, but a degree of uncertainty exists at present due to Piper’s precarious position. (Peter Gamble)