New Zealand News

Just over a year ago he resigned as the CAA’s chief executive after being castigated in tendering for Australia’s new air traffic control system. In late December the CAA decided to award the contract to the French company, Thomson Radar Australia Corp-the same firm Mr Baldwin recommended to the Authority.

His recommendation resulted in an inquiry by a former Liberal Party Cabinet Minister, Mr Ian Macphee, after a strong union and political lobby for the contract to go to the American based Hughes company, nominated by Mr Baldwin as alternate tenderer. The Macphee report accused Mr Baldwin and fellow New Zealand projects manager, Mr Rob Edwards, of “serious incompetence and providing “fatally flawed advice” to the CAA board. After the board suspended Mr Baldwin, he left the organisation. He used to be the general manager of the Nelson and Wellington harbour boards before spreading his wings in Australia.

Aircraft, Helicopter Collide – Four Die

A comprehensive report by an inspector of air accidents is due soon on the air crash involving a police helicopter and a traffic spotter aircraft over central Auckland which resulted in four deaths.

The inspector investigating the accident, Mr John Goddard, who is based in Christchurch, told AA his draft report would go to all interested parties and the final report would be released about April. Mr Goddard added: “But if I get involved in other investigations, the release of the report could be delayed. ” Witnesses said the aircraft collided at an altitude as low as 500ft (150m), According to news reports. An Airways Corporation spokesperson said the accident happened while the pilots were under visual flight rules. Neither aircraft was in touch with air traffic controllers at the time. Wreckage was found over several kilometres of the central city. A wing struck a Queen Street building and some debris landed near the Sheraton hotel. The civilian pilot of the Aerospatiale AS355F helicopter and two police officers in the machine were killed. The pilot of the Piper Warrior, Alan Connors 28, also died. The helicopter pilot was Ross Harvey, 41. Both pilots were employed by Airwork NZ Ltd which also owned both aircraft.

A former “eye-in-the-sky” radio reporter, Bill Mudgway, said the accident might not have happened if there had been a traffic observer in the Piper. He also questioned the use of a low winged aircraft to monitor traffic; Mr Mudgway said the low wings could obstruct vision. The Airline Pilots’ Association views. Association president Mike Talbot says traffic spotting operations would be safer with high wing aircraft using an observer. A second crew member in the Piper would have “materially enhanced” the chance’s of the mid air collision being avoided.

Soon after the accident the police accepted the temporary use ofa Cessna 172 coastguard aircraft for traffic spotting duties until a permanent service could be established.

Aircraft flying over central Auckland are still operating under VFR. The Civil Aviation Authority’s director general, Kevin Ward and the Airways Corp chief executive, Pete Proulx, say neither organisation saw the need to impose urgent or interim measures controlling the airspace.

Mr Ward said if the air accident inspectors “determined there was something urgent then I’m sure they would contact us directly, as they have in the past. ” Mr Proulx rejected a suggestion that the air zones controlled by Auckland International and the Whenuapai RNZAF airports should be extended to include the inner city.

The accident happened the same week the police air surveillance programme marked its fifth anniversary.

The crash took place just over 24 hours after the biggest mobilisation of Auckland’s emergency forces for a crash exercise at Auckland international airport. That “disaster” scenario, involving a fully laden 747 jumbo jet crashing into the runway and erupting in flames, engaged nearly 300 police as well as scores of fire fighters and other emergency workers.

Knighthood for Aircraft Collector

Australian aviation enthusiasts heading for Wanaka in the scenic lower South Island for a special Easter holiday, willmeet a special aviator – Sir Tim Wallis, who established the famous Alpine Fighter Collection (AFC).

Sir Tim, also the driving force behind the Fighter Pilots Museum which was officially opened last Easter at Wanaka airport, was knighted in the New Year honours, mainly for his work as a helicopter pioneer and a deer farmer.

Aged 55, Sir Tim was listedas a knightby The Times in London just over a year ago but he was not on the 1993 New Zealand list. He says he is “very honoured” about his 1994 knighthood. Sir Tim saysthose who know him “know a knighthood won’t change me. As far as everyday use goes, just call me Tim. My business cards certainly won’t change. ” The new knight heads a business empire which has three companies in Russia, an enterprise in North America and core activities involving deer and tourism in New Zealand. He also has a major stake in the Helicopter Line. (He’s a highly skilled helicopterpilot, too).

The burly aviation enthusiast considers himself lucky to be still working. He observes that 70 pilots and hunters have died in helicopter work. He has had his share of accidents and mishaps in the air, flying fixed wing or helicopters.

“A lot of my early accidents were mechanical failures, like a crankshaft breaking in half, conrod problems, etc. I’ve also misread the wind. In many ways I’m very fortunate to be here to tell the story. ” Sir Tim’s aviation interests expanded into a collection of WW2 fighter aircraft. The Alpine Fighter Collection includes New Zealand’s only flyable Spitfire. The Mk XIV, obtained in England, will be admired by the 50,000 spectators expected to enjoy the Warbirds over Wanaka airshow this Easter. The Royal New Zealand Air Force will have a high profile at the show, too. Also in the spotlight will be Ray Hanna and his son, Mark. They were at the 1992 show with a Spitfire and a Messerschmitt 109, and will be back performing their dogfight roles at Easter. Spitfire from Britain, a wartime Russian Yak 3 fighter and a P-51 Mustang. AFC also reports that wartime wrecks of eight British and German aircraft have been recovered from Russia and are scheduled for restoration in New Zealand.

The Alpine Fighter Collection has also acquired a second Messerschmitt 110s and two Stuka dive bombers have been Sir Tim says three crashed Hurricane fighters, three recovered from around Murmansk. From the parts, he hopes to rebuild one flyable example of each type.

Cash Strapped Rnzaf

A shrinking budget has given the air force a difficult year and it is grappling to meet its training and operation obligations, says the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal John Hosie. Many activities had been reviewed to see where savings could be made, he said. “It has taken some hard decisions. The relocating of flying training to Ohakea and the eventual closure of Wigram are two cases in hand. ” There would be many more changes over the next few years.

$nz2M Negligence Suit

New Zealand’s topairsafety official has been cited as a defendant in $ negligence suit arising from a fatal aircrash in the Cook Islands in August, 1991.

A claim against the Civil Aviation Authority safety director has been lodged in the High Court of the Cook Islands following the Avaiki Air crash that killed six people, including two New Zealanders, near the Cook Islands capital of Rarotonga.

The action is detailed in Civil Aviation Authority briefing papers to New Zealand’s new Minister of Transport, Maurice Williamson, who replaced Rob Storey soon after general election win by the National Party to retain the reins of government last November. The CAA’s safety director is now Kevin Ward, whose responsibilities include the Cook Islands.

The 1991 accident involved a Britten Norman Islander, it crashed , resulting in a relentless drive to relieve the misery of residents by trying to restore basic services. ” The Air Force Cross has been awarded to Sqn Ldr Brian Coulter. He displayed outstanding skills in flying training, leadership and planning. He also planned and implemented night vision goggle training for Iroquois crews. Flt Sgt Richard Hardeman of Whenuapai was awarded the Air Force Medal. An air electronics operator on Orions in No 5 squadron, his vigilance and expertise in radar probably saved the lives of four divers lost in a 6m boat off Wellington. He found the vessel in bad weather and high seas on the radar of the searching Orion.

Ron’s 43 Year Flying Career Ends

After 43 years and 16,500 hours flying time, Australian born Ron Raymond has retired from airline flying.

Captain Raymond has left Ansett New Zealand, where he flew British Aerospace 146s, to take up a post with the Massey University Flying School, at Palmerston North, in the lower North Island.

Captain Raymond, who is close to the mandatory retire- into the sea while flying from the island resort of Aitutaki toment age of 60, has had a varied flying career, starting with Rarotonga. The crash took place at night in heavy rain, about 16 kilometres from the airport.

It is believed relatives of an Italian victim in the crash have initiated the court action.

The briefing papers state that it is alleged that the CAA safety director was negligent in “failing to ensure that the aircraft involved in the crash was serviceable and suitable for the operations in which it was engaged and that it was flown by a competent crew, properly licensed and certificated. ” New Zealand’s top accident investigator, Ron Chippindale, who investigated the crash on behalf of the Cook Islands government, found no conclusive cause. Mr Ward, who said the hearing would not be held in the “near future,” added that the Authority was confident of success.

Rnzaf Members Honoured in Awards

Seven members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force were recognised in the New Year’s Honours.

The Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air has gone to Sqn Ldr Neil Kenny of Auckland. He was the Ops Flight Commander of the detachment of RNZAF Andoversand personnel deployed to Somalia between January and May last year. He was responsible for all the flying by the three And-overs providing transport, leaflet drops and casualty evacuation. The detachment flew 340 hours and 140 missions without incident.

Among the recipients of the MBE award is Flt Lt James Scott Finlayson, Auckland. He is described as a “brave and resourceful officer while serving as a UN military observer in Yugoslavia. He spent five months in Sarajevo, where he gained respect for his Tiger Moths and later Canberra bombers, flying transports in the Vietnam war and lately 146s over New Zealand.

At Massey University he will continue with a specialist career interest – a study into the human factors of aircraft flight deck management. “It’s the study of managing the efficient flying. The cockpit of 40 years ago was captain people and equipment on the flight deck to ensure safe and oriented. Everybody looked to him to make every decision. These days it’s more democratic, the crew make decisions as a crew. ” wheel was left in a tree. “The cost of the damage was about $300. Captain Raymond recalls one Tiger Moth flight at Wagga-one Heletmework if off at 12 shillings an hour cleaning Tiger Moths. The owner of the flying school, a nice old guy, didn’t report me. I still like them, though.

Airline Contract Major Coup

In what Massey University – located at Palmerston North, lower North Island – calls a world first, its School of Aviation has been contracted by an international airline to provide 60 graduates for aviation internships.

The first batch of 20 graduates is about to join Garuda Indonesia for further training before becoming pilots for Boeing aircraft, says the school’s head, Professor Graeme Hunt. He adds: “This is. . . a major coup for Massey. It’s the first time anywhere in the world that a major international airline has contracted a university in this way. ” In addition to the internships, Garuda has asked Massey to help select and train 112 Indonesian students. The first part of the contract is for Massey to train 20 Garuda flight engineers; lessons started recently.