People, Bottom Line & Video Reviews

Books

Flight of the Halifax:

Compiled by Norman Mitchell This book is the fascinating and easy to read biography of Captain G N Wikner, a pioneer Australian aviation pioneer.

This book is not only an informative look at an interesting and diverse aviation figure, but also at a very different era of aviation. ‘Flight of the Halifax’ is divided into sections looking at three very different phases of Wikner’s flying career. The first is perhaps the most historically interesting in that it looks at his own prewar aircraft designs known as Wickos.

Capt Wikner going as far as establishing his own factory in England where a racy trainer design was very nearly selected for the RAF. The second section deals with his wartime career as a member of the RAF’s Air Transport Auxiliary, flying new types from their factories to operational airfields, often only with minutes preparation Most interesting though is the third and final section which deals with his return to Australia after the war, where he bought a surplus Halifax bomber and flew it to Australia. This final section looks at the struggle through red tape to get the purchase and Journey approved, and the epic 16 day flight, which provided the culmination of his diverse aviation career. (Incidentally, the Halifax was sold to an Australian company, one of whose primaries was Group Captain Clive Caldwell, the RAAF’s highest scoring fighter pilot during the war. Unfortunately the company was dissolved and the Halifax was sold for scrap. ) Available from KV& ER Wikner, PO Box 200, New Lambton 2305 for $37 including postage.

How They Fly the Concorde:

Few people interested in aviation do not aspire to experience the excitement of supersonic flight on the Concorde.

This video represents for many of us though perhaps the closest look at a flight aboard this extraordinary aircraft, from a pilot’s eye view. Through travelling on a regular British Airways Concorde flight from New York to London, and the educative narrative of an American 747 captain, ‘How they Fly the Concorde’ provides a unique and informative look at the aircraft and its operations.

This video follows the mission from preflight, including the crews pre takeoff procedures and checklists, through to takeoff on afterburner, acceleration through the speed of sound, cruise climb, descent and arrival in London, plus a look at the standards of service provided to the passengers. In addition though the video takes time out to explain some of Concorde’s unique technical details, as well as Concorde pilot training. The video also features an abundance of shots of Concorde in flight, taking off and landing, providing a good visual study of this sleek and graceful airliner.

Available from Flight-Deck productions, for details refer advertisement page 74.

Moves afoot in the US Congress may see Cessna return to building piston engined GA aircraft. Cessna could build up to 2000 172s, 182s and 206 singles in its first full year of production, if the new proposals introduced to Congress become law. The new changes will limit a manufacturer’s liability to 15 years, but the success of the legislation depends on the amount of influence the Trial Lawyers Association can swing, this powerful body resisting all previous attempts.