People, Bottom Line, Video & Book Reviews

Videos

Final Flight:

The Argosy Trust This video is a fascinating insight into the history of New Zealand’s Safe Air.

Final Flight documents the story of Safe Air from its beginnings in the 1950s when, as Straights Air Freight Express, it formed to operate a type of aerial rail link across Cook Straight, linking New Zealand’s North and South Islands to its last flight in 1990. The video records the airline’s inauguration with new Bristol Freighters, and the airline’s steady growth and expansion through the 50s and beyond. Safe Airin fact, world’s largest fleet of Bristol Freighters, 11 in total.

The film also covers the airline’s unique operations and its special freight and passenger run to the Chatham Islands to the country’s east, and the special link forged with thats mall community. Other highlights include the introduction of Bristol Argosies in 1973 and interviews with its former pilots, concluding with the type’s last service with the airline and its subdued retirement.

Final Flight is an educational look at an interesting and unique airline and its operations. Proceeds from the sale of the video go towards the restoration, preservation and display of Safe Air’s final surviving Argosy. Available from Southern Pacific Trans- port Videos, PO Box 102, Huntly, New Zealand, fax 647 828 9830, for $NZ50 including airmail p&p.

Australian International Airshow:

CEL This informative narrative provides a good insight into what was for many the largest event of its type that they would attend. Narrated by Jeff Watson, the tape presents all the crowd drawing aircraft at the show, ranging from the Antonov 124 and Ilyushin 96, to the newly restored Boomerang and Strikemaster, the A340, USAFF-15s, vintage aircraft and everything in between. Footage of the Roulettes, the Red Devils, Chris Sperou’s inverted ribbon cutting and other flying sequences is also of good value.

The video also takes time out from the show to look at the many historical aviation sights and companies in Victoria, including the Point Cook RAAF Base and museum, Diggers Rest, sight of the first powered flight in Australia, and ASTA’s Avalon facilities.

A good video which aims to paint the airshow in a positive light, there are however a few minor errors in the commentary which will understandably irk some viewers.

Available from department stores and video outlets, or direct from CEL Home Video, 24 College St, Gladesville 2111 for $44. 96 inc p&p.

Games

“Pfl Island” – Exploring the Art of the Practice Forced Landing:

PFL Island is an Australian designed and produced educational game intended to aid student pilots with the Practice Forced Landing, considered by many to be the most difficult and unpredictable part of the Private Pilot Licence syllabus.

PFL Island allows pilots to practice planning and visualising solutions to random engine failure situations, and encourages discussion between pilots about techniques and procedures. It is based on the HighKey/ Low Key and Base point techniques, and can be used to illustrate a variety of situations to highlight the finer points of forced landings.

Briefly, the game consists of the outline of an islandwhich has paddocks, crops, houses etc. Altitude and wind direction are determined by spinning pointers, and then an aircraft symbol is thrown onto the board. The heading of the aircraft is determined by the way the marker lands.

The aim then is to select the best place to force land, planning either a high key, low key or directly onto a base leg.

The game is best played by a number of players, but can be played by one person. It would be a valuable addition to any crewroom or clubhouse as it would be certain to promote lively discussion.

Obtainable from Aviador, PO Box 687, Mawson, ACT, 2607 for $32. 95post free. For further information ph (06) 286 5972.

Books

Island in the Sky:

R B Shaw Australian produced aviation adventure novels have been relatively few and far between in recent times, though this book aims at correcting that deficiency.

Island in the Sky is a high paced, dramatic and exciting adventure set in the highlands of Papua New Guinea where the author spent 16 years of his life. Reminiscent in some respects to the work of Alistair Maclean and Wilbur Smith, some of the action sequences are realheart stoppers, while the language used throughout the book is often vivid and gives the impression of actually watching the story take place in front of you The action packed plot follows aircraft salvage expert Dave Stark as he follows an obscure trail of clues in a race to find lost wartime treasure, while battling against an unseen foe who is willing to resort to murder and sabotage to find the booty first.

All in all, a well written, exciting and often thrilling novel.

Available from RBShaw, Tropicana Press, PO Box 385, Padstow, NSW, 2211 for $15 including p&p.

Ct-4 in Service With the Raaf:

AL Webber This well written account extensively documents the history of the Plastic Parrot, as the CT-4 is affectionately known in RAAF service.

In 44 pages, the book details the type’s history, beginning with its origins as the Victa Airtourer, and its subsequent development by AESL in New Zealand. Other sections of the book include a pilots report on what it is like to fly, its selection and entry into service with the RAAF, its colour schemes and markings, an overview of its service career and a complete technical description. Perhaps the most valuable part of this book though is the complete description of the service life of every individual RAAF Plastic Parrot.

Available from the author, 7 Portsmouth Crescent, Grovedale Vic 3216for $13including p&p.