People, Bottom Line, Book & Video Reviews

Due to rising demand for its scenic flights, Frederickson has purchased a DHC Beaver amphibianto 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.

People

Continental has employed former Compass chief executive Sam Coats to estab- lish a new low cost all economy airline subsidiary (refer Airline Affairs). Janelle Patton is the new national director of Aus- tralian Airlines’ Flight Deck. Foundingchairman of the Federal Airports Corporation, David Sullivan has announced his retirement. Ansett has appointed Kerry Bell to the new position of national sponsorship and promotions co-ordinator. In contrast, new positions within its expanding international division see Rodney Garnier becoming national sales manager inbound/interline, and Bob Smith the new international/ interline special projects manager. Mark Crumblin has joined Eurocopter Pacific as its new Rotary Wing Sales Executive. Ray Funnellformer Chief of Air Staff, has joined the board of ASTA.

Bottom Line

Singapore Airlines posted a profit of $8851m ($A670m) on revenue of $85. 6b (A4. 4b) for the year ending March 31, a decline in the previous year’s figure by 8. 4%. The fall was blamed upon rising expenses, strong competition and a stronger local dollar. British Airway’s pretax profits for the year ending March dropped to $185m ($A404m), attributed to falling yields and heavy investment, relinquishing its most profitable airline status to SIA. To help recapitalise the airline, it will conduct a one- for-four rights issue to raise $A996. TNT has a recorded a net loss after abnormals for the nine months to March 31 of $92. 04m, with a loss before abnormals of $41. 5m. News Corporation meanwhile has recorded a March quarter profit of $178. 41m, taking earnings for the nine months to March 31 to $668. 5m and profit after abnormals to $643. 5m. Profit from equity including, Ansett, BSkyB and PMP for the nine months was $122m, although a $25m abnormallossfor the ninemonthsdue to foreign exchange losses related to Ansett’s long term debt was incurred. America West has announced a March quarter profit of $A17. 2m and a net income of $42. 16. The result is attributed to reductions in costs and fleet size, and improvements in yield and load factors. Embraerrecordedrev- enues for 1992 of $US334m ($A490m), during which it delivered 78 aircraft. A profit or loss figure has not been made public.

Lufthansa Group posted an after tax loss of DM 391m ($A350m) for 1992, an improvement from a loss of DM426m ($A380m) in the previous year. The result follows an increase in revenue by 7. 19%, buoyed by Middle East and Eastern Europe route growth. Meanwhile, for the first quar- ter of 1993, Lufthansa sustained a loss of DM245, an improvement of DM141 for the same period in 1992.

Books

Take Necessary Action:

Chris & Louise Harkness A high quality production, this novel will be of interest particularly to the many Aus- tralian and New Zealand pilots who spent part of their careers honing their skills in Papua New Guinea before independence.

Although not solely about flying, aviation plays a central role in this dramatic novel. It concerns 31 tumultuous days before PNG independence, when the locals have turned against the expat Australians and subver- sive acts of violence are directed against the foreigners. Providing a very interesting insight into the lives of expatriates in Papua New Guinea, Take Necessary Action builds to a very dramatic and tense finish, appeal- ing not only to those who have lived and worked in PNG, but also those who are drawn to excitement and the rugged beauty of this untamed land.

Available from Robert Brown & Associates, details can be found in the advertise- ment on page 81 of this issue.

Beaufighters Over New Guinea:

George Dick The RAAF Museum recently released this latest book in its heritage award series, cov- ering the history of 30 Squadron RAAF in New Guinea over the period 1942-43.

The official release of the book appropriately took place at the Moorabbin Air Mu seum under the nose of the Beaufighter that the museum has on display. Some 40 members of the wartime No 30 Squadron were present, a number having been flown in by the RAAF Museum/AWM C-47. Included in the group, besides the book’s author, were noted wartime test pilot Harold Shelton and the first commanding officer of No 30 Squad- ron, Brian (Black Jack) Walker. A history could be written on Brian Walker himself as he first started flying in 1935 and closed off his log books a half century later with some 14,000 hours flight time. Along the way he survived ten accidents.

Beaufighters over New Guinea is a most interesting book. The author, George Dick, has not only admirably covered the combat history of the squadron but he has admira- bly also brought out the human side to war- time service life.

Available from the RAAF Museum, Pt Cook, 3027 for $15. 95 inc p&p.

Videos

Air Tournament International:

Southern Pacific Transport Vid- eos If, unlike a lucky minority, you missed out on the recent International Air Tattoo at RAFFairford in the UK, this video is for you.

Air Tournament International provides a fascinating look at last year’s ATI at RAF Boscombe Down, which was nothing less than a feast of military aviation. A quality, professional product, one of the video’s strong points is its good camera work (es- sential for capturing aircraft in flight) which is accompanied by a generally informative narrative. This includes a brief history of the USAAF’s 8th Air Force, who celebrated its 50th anniversary at the airshow.

Aircraft and footage of interest, particu- larly from the point of view of we stuck in the antipodes, includes such gems as the RAF’s last flying Vulcan, restored B-17 Flying Fortresses, a Mosquito, a B-24 Liberator from the Confederate Air Force, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster, and assorted Mustangs and Spitfires. Aircraft such as Czech Su-25s and MiG-29s, a Dutch F-16, Russian Su-27, and a French Navy Super Etendard, none of which have yet made appearances down under, are also of great interest and add spice to the more ‘commonplace’ such as Harriers, Tornados and Tomcats. A number of European aerobatic teams also feature, including Spain’s, complete with accompanying Span- ish music, while the show climaxes with a slick performance from the Red Arrows. Available from Southern Pacific Trans- port Videos, PO Box 102, Huntly, NZph+64- 7-828 9769, or fax 828 9830, for $A43, including air mail postage to Australia.