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Singapore is also planning to buy six CH-47D Chinook helicopters, three for use by the Civil Aviation Authority for search and rescue duties and the remainder for the RSAF to support overseas training detachments.

 More Capability for F-16:

Lockheed is to privately fund a longer range and more capable version of its F-16 Fighting Falcon tactical fighter, using low drag conformal tanks mounted on top of the fuselage inboard of the wing roots.

The new variant has been designated by Lockheed as the F-16ES.

The F-16ES’s two 1500 litre (400USgal) tanks will almost double the unrefuelled range of the aircraft when used in combination with a 2300 litre (600USg) centreline tank, giving it a range similar to the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Eagle.

Equipment updates are also part of the F-16ES package, including four colour cockpit displays and a low drag internally mounted forward looking infrared (FLIR) system.

Lockheed had previously offered a similarly configured F-16 to Israel in an eleventh hour bid to secure an IDF order for strike aircraft. This order was subsequently won by MDC’s F-15E derivedF-151

Boeing Defines 737-700:

The first ofBoeing’s new 737-X family of airliners is close to the final definition stage,

with the definitive configuration expected to be settled within two months.

The 737-700 is similar in size to the current 737-300 (just 0. 5m longer) but features a more efficient wing design with 25% more area and up to a third greater fuel capacity. This will give the aircraft a maximum range of 3000nm (5500km), some 950nm (1760km) greater than the -300. Maximum takeoff weight will be 67,650kg (149,1401b), about 8% more than the heaviest -300 option.

Other members of the new family are the 737-500X and the 737-400X Stretch, which will be called the 737-600 and -800 when they are launched. The 737-500X is similar in size to the existing -500, while the 737-400X Stretch is, as the title implies, longer than the current -400. A fuselage stretch of 3. 0m (10 feet) will increase single class passenger capacity from 159 to 184. Maximum weight is 76,500kg (168,6501b).

The new family of 737s will be launched at approximately six month intervals.

 747X Design Work Underway:

Boeing has begun design work on a stretched version of its 7 4 7 long range airliner, one of the options it is studying to produce the next generation of high capacity airliners alongside the Very Large Commercial Transport (VLCT) project.

Under the designation 747X, work is underway on designing a wing forthenew 747, which at this stage involves a 6m (20ft) fuselage stretch for an additional 80 passengers. A typical three class layout in the current 7 47-400 provides for about 412 passengers.

Boeing has been discussing engines for the 747X with Rolls-Royce (Trent), General Electric (CF6-80 or GE90) and Pratt & Whitney (PW4000 derivative or a new ducted prop design) and sees a requirement for up to 75,000lb (336kN) thrust per engine.

 Beech Pushes Starship:

With its production future still unclear, Beechcraft has embarked on a major sales campaign for its all composite Starship twin turboprop pusher corporate aircraft.

The basis of the company’s new marketing strategy is to sell the aircraft direct from the factory rather than through dealers. The initial production batch of 50 aircraft is now just about completed and if further aircraft are to be built, the decision to do so will have to be made quickly.

The first full production Starship flew in 1989. Since then only 27 have been placed with customers, 12 of them leased. The recession, market conservatism and competition from Beech’s own King Air series have all conspired to restrict Starship sales, while the aircraft has failed to meet some important initial performance goals, notably maximum cruise speed and range.

Not So Stealthy:

USAF testing (by the use of computer modelling) has revealed the Lockheed/Boeing F-22 fighter is not quite as stealthy as had been hoped.

This information provides another string to the bow of those who would like to see the very expensive F-22 programme dropped in favour of the mooted multi mission Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) aircraft. The US General Accounting Office (GAO) has released a report which concludes the F-22’s entry to service date could be delayed by seven years to 2010 (refer p12 Apr 94 AA) because the existing F-15C Eagle “exceeds the most advanced fighter threat system expected to exist for many years”. If the F-22 does not enter service until 2010, no fewer than 20 years will have elapsed between the first flight of the prototype and service entry! It has been calculated that $US12. 3bn will be saved between 1995 and 1999 ifthe F-22 is cancelled.

The JAST project has recently received a boost with the announcement that the Pentagon plans to have two prototype concept aircraft built and flying within the next seven years. One of them is expected to be an advanced short takeoff and vertical landing (ASTOVL) variant. It is intended that the design/s which eventually achieve production as a result of the JAST studies will ultimately replace the F-111, F-16, F-15E and F-117in US service.

Airlines Just in the Black:

Three years of collective losses by the world’s airlines have turned around to a small overall profit in 1993, according to figures released by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

ICAO member scheduled airlines (excluding those in the CIS) recorded operating revenues of US$227 bn during the year, compared with costs of$US224. 5bn. The $US2. 5bn operating surplus represents a 1. 1% return and compares with losses of 0. 7%in1992, 0. 2%in 1991 and0. 8%in1990.

Traffic (in tonne-kilometres) rose by 6%, operating revenues by 4% and operating expenses by 3%. This means that operating revenues per tonne-kilometre actually fell (from US 92. 5 cents to 89. 2 cents), but fortunately costs reduced by a greater margin.

The improved overall performance is largely due to better results by North American airlines (refer p21 Apr 94 AA), while elsewhere the situation has remained basically stagnant.

 Singapore Show May Move:

Asia’s largest airshow, Asian Aerospace, may have to move from Singapore by the end of the century due to continuing expansion at Changi Airport.

The expansion is likely to claim the space currently used by the exhibition, and the suggestion has been made to movethe show across the Straits of Singapore to the Indonesian island of Batam.

Indonesia proposed moving the show to Jakarta in 1996 as a one substitute for the Singapore event as part of national celebrations (the 50th anniversary of independence) but will now stage an airshow which will be in addition to Singapore in that year.

A sidelight to the Changi situation is that the show is in some ways frowned upon by the airport authorities as they have to stop normal flying operations for an hour each day while the flying display is performed.

Qantas Maintains the Faith:

Qantas has won a lucrative contract from Garuda to help move about20,000Indonesian Muslims to and from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as part of the annual Haj pilgrimage to Mecca.

Qantas has supplied two 747-300s for the task, which began in April and lasts for eight weeks. The exercise is expected to generate revenue of$A15m and the aircraft will be configured in an all economy class layout with 483 seats, the greatest number yet fitted to a Qantas aircraft. Garuda always leases in aircraft to cater for the annual pilgrimage and this year is using a fleet of 19.

Light Seats Save Money:

A joint manufacturing venture between New Zealand company Alliance Textiles and Norwellan Textiles of Australia has resulted in a revolutionary new spinning process which produces a light but hard wearing seat fabric suitable for airliners. The process was originally developed by The NewZealandWool Research Organisation. The fabric is half the weight of conventional aircraft seat materials, is flame resistant, machine washable and has a three year life with heavy usage. It promises substantial savings to airlines which adopt it.

Air New Zealand, Qantas and British Airways are presently evaluating the fabric in regular service.

Qantas Looks to China:

Qantas is examining the possibilities of establishing aircraft engineering and maintenance, pilot training, and simulator centre joint ventures with China. A Qantas team visited China in April to discuss the maintenance and engineering ideas, while the simulator centre concept will provide badly needed training for a rapidly growing market in which the demand for pilots far exceeds supply. The moves are part of a general Qantas push to secure more ‘third airline’ contract work.

Rough Justice:

While Northwest Airlines toughs out hard financial times and its employees have agreed to pay cuts totalling$US886m in order to help save the carrier, it’s comforting to know that in 1993 the airline’s top five executives received bonuses of$US2. 3m.

The CEO, John Dasburg, received more than $US1. 6m in salary and bonuses alone, but following pressure from the unions he has agreed to return a$US750,000 bonus received for restructuring Northwest’s finances. Mr Dasburg and other members of Northwest’s top management team have been called upon to give up their annual bonuses as well.

The refloat of Northwest brings some good news for one investor, Foster’s Brewing. A useful paper profit could be made if Foster’s can unload its parcel of common stock in the wake of the airline’s restructuring.

Qantas Wants Your Business:

Australian companies which have not been spending their travel budgets with Qantas may have to review their situations following an interesting marketing idea, courtesy of CEO James Strong.

Forty of the nations’s big bosses and their spouses spent some time on Great Keppel Island during March at the airline’s expense as part of the first ‘think tank’, meetings designed to extract the likes and dislikes of airline services from those involved. Ultimately, the idea is to convince them to choose Qantas for their company’s travel needs. Other ‘think tanks’ are scheduled to be held, the next at Sanctuary Cove.

 Air Fares Up:

A Prices Surveillance Authority report has revealed that domestic air fares increased by 3. 5%in the December quarter of 1993, mainly the result of more high yield passengers being carried and an increase in the price of three day advance purchase fares.

Despite this, fares are on average 2. 1% lower than they were at the end of 1992 and a substantial 24%below those of the Sept 1990 quarter, immediately before deregulation. The lowest point was reached in the Dec 1992 quarter, when fares were 30%down on Sept1990 and 10% below Dec 1993 levels.

This was at the time of Compass II and a short period of stagnant growth compared with previous quarters since the inception of deregulation in late 1990.

 Product Liability Reformat Last?

It appearsthe long, hard battle to change the USA’s USA’soppressive general aviation product liability laws may have at last been won following a 91-8 vote in the Senate to impose an 18 year limit on GA manufacturers’ liability. The next step is for the House of Representatives to pass similar legislation and

Acknowledgement Regarding Photos of Sukhoi Su-29 in April Edition

The editor and publisher wish to acknowledge that Mr Roger Graham is the author of the inflight photos of the Sukhoi Su-29 appearing on the front cover and p33 of the April 1994 edition of Australian Aviation. The photos were submitted by a third party without nominating the author of same and the editor and publisher apologise to Mr Graham for this oversight for it to bypass the powerful Judiciary Committee and proceed directly to the floor of the House for a vote. Although the bill has overwhelming bipartisan support in the House, the Judiciary Committee is strongly opposing it and has considerable influence.

That the reform has got as far as this is a major victory for Kansas Senator Nancy Kassebaum, who has been pushing the issue for seven years only to be constantly thwarted by powerful lobby groups such as the Trial Lawyers Association. This association has been the major influence on the Judiciary Committee’s opposition to the reforms, and is very much a group with a vested interest in things remaining as they are.

Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft and Mooney have all praised Senator Kassebaum and enthusiastically welcomed the prospect of change. Cessna’s Russ Meyer described the Senate’s action as “. . . a critical first step in the enactment of legislation which will bring general aviation back to life”.

Qantas Boosts Taiwan Capacity:

A new bilateral agreement between Australia and Taiwan has resulted in Qantas’ Australia Asia subsidiary immediately doubling its capacity to the island and the addition of Melbourne to the service, joiningSydney andBrisbane.

From April, Australia Asia has been able to operate the equivalent of six Boeing 7 47SP services each week, replacing the previous four 767-300 services (the carrier has swapped its 767-300 for a 7 47SP). The frequency will further increase to eight flights per week from October, representing a 165% capacity increase from increasefromthe original level.

Taiwan provides a rapidly growing source of visitors to Australia, 100,000 travelling here in 1993, 68%more than the previous year. The new flights and the addition of Melbourne to the schedule provides the opportunity to exploit the expected continued growth.

Teenager Crashes Airbus:

It has been revealed that the Aeroflot Russian International Air Lines Airbus A310 which crashed in Siberia last March was apparently being ‘flown’ by the pilot’s 15 years old son. Evidence collected from the aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder and published in the Russian Times and other newspapers points to the boy sitting in the pilot in command’s seat, a steward in the other seat and thetwo pilots standing behind. The teenager accidentally turned off the automatic pilot and fell forward onto the control column as one of the pilots tried to take control, sending the aircraft into a dive. The pilots were knocked off their feet and unable to regain control while the aircraft plummeted from 33,000 feet to earth in four minutes. The Moscow to Hong Kong flight was carrying 75 people including 23 foreigners, one of them an Australian