Newsdesk – General Aviation

The Falcon 2000 is currently in the early stages of its flight test programme with 19 flights and 47 hours logged by late April this year. Certification will be completed late next year, by which time 800 hours will have been flown. The aircraft has already reached the limits of its flight envelope by recording Mach0. 94 in a dive. Normal maximum operating Mach number will be 0. 85 or 575 knots (1063km/h) at 36,000 feet and above.

 Aeroclear Sees the Way:

Sydney aircraft window repair firm Aeroclear has developed its own diamond tipped milling machine to speed the refurbishment of aircraft windows.

The need for the device came about following the winning of a recent contract from Singapore Airlines for the refurbishment of 3000 windows. The Aeroclear machine can refurbish 70 scratched and damaged windows per day, three times the previous rate and at a much lower cost than the computer controlled equipment used overseas. It is approved by the CAA and Qantas, the latter being one of Aeroclear’s growing list of customers.

Aeroclear, through Eye For Detail Air- craft Services, has also refined the system to be able to completely repair/restore windows on GA aircraft. The great benefit of Aeroclear’s system isthat the windows don’t have to be removed from the aircraft, reducing cost and downtime. With over 6000 GA aircraft on the register it would certainly seem that this innovative company faces a bright future.

New Challenger Announced:

Canadair has introduced a new version of Its Challenger large corporate jet which of fers various improvements over the previous model.

The Challenger 601-3R differs from its-3A predecessor in being powered by two 8730lb thrust General Electric CF34-3A1 turbofans, the same as power the Canadair Regional Jet. The engines offer cost savings due to their enhanced maintainability and lower long term maintenance costs.

The new Challenger also features the previously optional tall fuel tank as standard, Improved corrosion protection and other detail changes. The aircraft has a range of 3600nm (6668km).

Fly the Tasman for Charity:

If its organiser’s plans come to fruition, the “Great Trans Tasman Air Race’ will be held between March 23 and 27 next year with the proceeds going to Ronald McDonald Houses in New Zealand and Australia and Sydney’s Prince of Wales Childrens’ Hospital.

The race will start in Sydney and finish in Palmerston North, travelling via Brisbane, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island and Kaitaia. The end of the race coincides with the 1994 Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow, and for those who don’t want to or can’t cross the Tasman Sea in their aircraft, there are separate Sydney/Brisbane and Kaitaia/ Palmerston North events.

If you’re interested, check your Mae West for holes, grab the rabbits foot and write to the Trans Tasman Air Race, PO Box 2002, Palmerston North, New Zealand. If you’re not, come with us on the Australian Aviation/Torii Tours trip to Wanaka ’94, a brilliant airshow.

Caravan Twin Conversion:

The Soloy Corporation (which specialises in turbine engine conversions of aircraft and hellcopters) is developing a twin engine conversion of the Cessna 208B Caravan single engined utility aircraft.

The conversion will involve installing two P&W PT6A-114engines inthe aircraft’s nose, driving through a combining gearbox and a single propeller. In the event of one engine falling, the other would still drive the propeller.

The US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has already indicated the conversion will be classed as a twin engined aircraft if certain requirements are met, thus allowing the aircraft to carry paying passengers in instrument flightconditions (IMC). The conversion also involves a fuselage stretch, allowing up to 18 passengers to be carried.

 Bae 125 Certificated in Russia:

The British Aerospace 125 has become both the first British and the first western business jet to be certificated by the Russian airworthiness authorities.

The certification covers the 125-700 and- 800 variants initially, with the new -1000 model due to be certificated shortly. The achievement opens the way for new marketing opportunities for British Aerospace and one aircraft (a 700) will shortly be operated by Avcomfor charter services between eastern and western Europe. It is generally considered that the former iron curtain’ countries offer great medium and long term potential for bizjet manufacturers and operators.

 Tourism Paying Off:

The influence of increasing tourism is having a posttive effect on many Australian businesses, among them Frederickson Aerial Services of Mackay in Queensland.

Due torising demand for its scenic flights, Frederickson has purchased a DHC Beaver amphibious aircraft to join its existing pair of Cessnas. The company’s business has doubled in the last six months and is still increasing and much of it is coming from guests at the Brampton Island Resort and other hotels and motels in Mackay.