Newsdesk – General Aviation

*Any approaching train triggers the system with four red flashing lights warning aircraft on the ground to delay their takeoff and craft in the air to circle until the train has passed. . . . ” Thought: What if the pilot is colour blind, an acceptable disability following an anti discrimination case a couple of years ago?

Aviation Safety Conference:

The Chartered Institute of Transport in Australia a professional body representing individuals in the transport industry- has announced a major aviation safety conference at the National Convention Centre, Canberra on October 19-21 this year.

Called the Safeskies Seminar, the conference will have the CAA as a principal sponsor and will be addressed by leading local and overseas aviation safety experts. It will include a strong GA component as well as covering topics of interest to all in the aviation sector. For details contact the CIT at GPO Box 1834 Canberra ACT 2601.

 Congrats Aopa:

Congratulations go to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots’ Association of Australia, who over the last few months has been progressively upgrading the quality of its monthly journal, AOPA magazine.

Now printed in Canberra, the revised and refined layout of the magazine is of the highest standard. The monthly is just one of the many benefits of AOPA membership, others including representation to Government, free accidental death insurance, discounted car rentals and accommodation and more.

AOPA can be contacted at PO Box 1065, Fyshwick ACT 2609, ph (06) 280 4221.

Tafe Aerospace Training Centre:

The Technical and Further Education (TAFE) establishment at Broadmeadows, Victoria, will early next year open its new $12m Aerospace Industry Training Centre (AITC).

Catering for up to 1000 students, the centre is the biggest facility of its kind in the Asia Pacific region and has been specifically designed to provide international quality aviation training in the form of apprenticeship training in high technology, post trade diplomas and introductory courses.

Most students will be apprentices already employed in the aerospace industry but there will also be an Associate Diploma of Engineering course in aerospace avionics and communications, a year long basic engineering course and a certificate of occupational studies which will give students sufficient basic skills to apply for an apprenticeship in aviation or related industries. The courses run from one year full time to four years part time.

Gaby Honoured:

Gaby Kennard, who in 1989 became the first Australian woman to fly around the world solo, has added to her list of honours (including an Order of Australia) by being inducted as an honorary member of Zonta International, a service organisation of executive women in business and the professions.

Other Zonta honorary members include Cory Aquino, Australian solo sailor Kay Cottee and Sally Ride, the first American woman in space.

Since returning to Australia after her epic flight, Kennard has been actively working in the areas of human rights, the environment and improving the status of women. One of her goals for 1993 is to raise $1m for the Royal Flying Doctor Service to purchase a new aircraft, and to support this she this month begins a five week around Australia flight in an Australian designed and built Seabird Seeker light aircraft. Starting in Cloncurry, the route covers nearly 13,000km and about 96 flying hours.

G4 Sets Another Record:

The Gulfstream IV long range corporate jet has added another class speed and distance record to its already impressive list, this time on a routine business flight from Japan to the United States.

The aircraft (in its current enhanced Gulfstream IV-SP guise) flew the 5137nm (9524km) from Tokyo to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 10 hours 12 minutes at an average speed of 503kts (930km/n). The aircraft – Spirit of Savannah, a factory demonstrator – carried a crew of two, four passengers and some cargo on the flight, which was returning to the USA after business meetings in Japan.

Commander Expands:

Oklahoma based Commander Aircraft, manufacturer of the Commander 114B piston single airtested in last month’s Australian Aviation, is planning a $US10m public share offer to fund expansion and to develop new variants of the aircraft. Commander’s majority shareholder (with 75%) is the Kuwaiti backed Special Situation Investment Holdings. The share sale will reduce Special Situation’s holding in Commander to 56%

Calendar of Aviation Events:

Courtesy AOPA May 1-2 1993: Cessna 180/185 Club 10th Annual Convention, Coonamble NSW. (063) 37 1151.

May 2: Caboolture Airfield, Qld, Family Day. Static aircraft displays. WWII aircraft, vintage cars, model aircraft, Rock bands etc. Contact R Molyneux (074) 95 3882.

May 1-20: Variety Club Air Bash around NSW/Qld. (02) 555 1799.

May 2-4: RFACA Annual Conference, Coffs Harbour. (06) 280 6696.

May 29: Middlemount Fly-in Fun Day. Contact Colin Wells (079) 85 7589.

June 5: Pilot Awareness Seminar, Melbourne. Contact AOPA (06) 280 4221.

June 11-20: 40th International Paris Air Show. Le Bourget Airport – Paris.

July 3-Aug 2: Around Australia Flying Safari. Visiting all mainland states. (049) 30 1577 Fax (049) 30 1166.

July 3: Pilot Awareness Seminar, Perth. Contact AOPA Office (06) 280 4221. July 17-Aug 14: “Aussies to Oshkosh 93”. Round USA Safari. (02) 969 6329. July 10: Round 2 NSW Interclub Flying Competition hosted by Griffith Aero Club. Contact John Ciardi (045) 72 5724 AH July 17-Aug 7: Fly Yourself to Oshkosh. From Chino, CA to Oshkosh. (07) 263 3989. July 29-Aug 4: Oshkosh, WI USA 41st Annual EAA Fly-in and Sport Aviation Convention. Wittman Regional Airport.

Aug 4-8: Abbotsford International Airshow. BC, Canada. Airshow Canada, PO Box6, Abbortsford, BC Canada V2S4N9. Tel (604) 852 4600 Fax (604) 852 3704. Aug 6-7: Sunshine State Air Race. Maroochy Aero Club. (074) 43 1166.

Aug 7: Pilot Awareness Seminar, Brisbane. Contact AOPA Office (06) 280 4221. Aug 31-Sept 5: International Air Show “Moscow Aerospace 93”. Contact Gebr Helbit Industri-Messen GmbH, PO Box 1569 8480, Weiden, Germany. Ph 0961-133 028 Fax 0961-137 449, 1994.

Sept 4-Oct 2: Round Europe Safari. (02) 969 6329 Fax(02) 968 3410. Oct23-29:EighthWorldFlightChampionship Rally. Chillan, Chile. (008) 33 7050. Oct2-4: Port Macquarie, NSWFly-in. Hastings District Flying Club. (065) 85 1720. Oct17: Strathalbyn SASpringFly-in 1993, Southern Districts Flying Club. ContactDon Dewar(085) 36 2070. Nov 6: Round 3 NSW Interclub Flying Competition and Presentation Dinner Hosted by Royal Newcastle Aero Club at Maitland. (045) 72 5724 AH. Feb 27-Mar 6 1994: Skyrace Tasmania. Three day round Tasmania Navex followed by four days Reno style pylon racing. Contact Australian National Air Races(003) 91 8380 Fax(003) 91 8662.