Newsdesk — General Aviation

Flightline’s Indonesian Graduates

Auckland-based pilot training academy Flightline Aeronautical College (a sister company of Australia’s Flightline Aviation) has seen the graduation of the latest batch of Merpati Nusantara Airlines trainee pilots, 19 young Indonesians being presented with their ‘wings’ at Flightline’s Papakura facility. The pilots are part of a contract between the airline and Flightline which will see nearly 100 cadet pilots trained. After graduation they return to Indonesia to take up duty as first officers flying a variety of aircraft including Fokker F27s, BAe ATPs, CN-235s and Twin Otters. Also graduating was a helicopter pilot from Oman, who will return home to fly with the Royal Oman Police Force. Flightline Aeronautical College is New Zealand’s largest pilot training academy.

Pilot Hirings Still Growing

The recent upwards trend in the number of pilots being hired by US major, national and regional airlines continues with further increases expected in 1995. 1994 saw the airlines employ 8300 new pilots, a massive 45% increase over the previous year. Of these, about 5500 — or two thirds — were hired by regional operators of both jet and non-jet equipment. It has been predicted that new hirings by US airlines will reach 9000 this year and 10,000 in 1996. Although the regionals are expected to account for about 5000 of the projected 1995 hirings, five US major operators (United, Southwest, Northwest, Fed Ex and UPS) will account for about 1750 between them. Although the retirement of older pilots and the demand for crews created by new operators have been responsible for much of the demand, the improved financial position of many airlines is also contributing to the growth.

Socata/Grob Get Together?

French light aircraft manufacturer Socata and German aerospace company Grob have been discussing the possibility of a marketing alliance. Socata manufactures the TB 9 Tampico, TB 10 Tobago and TB 20/21 Trinidad range of metal four-seat training and touring aircraft plus the TBM 700 pressurised turbine single, while Grob’s main product is its G 115 glass-fibre reinforced two-seater. Grob also builds the Strato high-altitude research turboprop and has flown a prototype of its GF 200 four-seat pusher business aircraft. Socata has also been talking to Italy’s Piaggio about a possible joint marketing venture but a tie-up with Grob is thought to be the most likely outcome as the two manufacturers’ product ranges are complementary. Socata delivered 124 aircraft in 1994 compared with 99 the previous year.

Big Gulfstream Order

US corporate jet operator Executive Jet Aviation (EJA) has placed a firm order for seven Gulfstream IV-SPs and optioned a further 13. Options have also been placed on two long-range Gulfstream Vs. The aircraft have been ordered for EJA’s NetJets fractional ownership programme, in which corporate customers can purchase eighth or quarter shares in the company’s fleet, which are then operated on the shareholder’s behalf. A monthly management fee is paid to EJA, along with an hourly fee, and a quarter share guarantees 1000 flight hours over five years plus ready availability of an aircraft. EJA has a fleet of 25 Cessna Citation S/IIs and 13 Hawker 1000s and has also recently ordered 25 Citation Ultras with deliveries scheduled to begin this June. If taken up, the GIV options are for 1997-98 delivery and the GV options are for 1998-99 delivery.

Eagle Xt-S Certification Compromise

The unconventional Eagle XT-S two-seat light aircraft has been issued a special category certificate of airworthiness by the Australian CAA following its failure to meet one aspect of the European Joint Aviation Regulations for Very Light Aircraft. The JARs specify a maximum stalling speed of 45kt (83km/h) at maximum weight with a forward centre of gravity, the XT-S exceeding this limit by 2kt (4km/h). The Australian certificate of type approval will allow the aircraft to operate in Australia, but the implications for export sales and operations are unclear. The Eagle’s launch customer — the WA Department of Conservation & Land Management — has ordered six to replace Piper Super Cubs but will now lease rather than purchase the aircraft due to concerns over resale value.

Complete Aviation Training In Wa

Western Australia now has its first government-accredited Advanced Diploma in Aviation Studies, conducted by the Western Australian Aviation College at Jandakot airport. One-year full-time courses start in February and July of each year and cover all CAA requirements through to Commercial and Air Transport Pilot Licence subjects. To help make pilots more employable, the education component includes pilot-related subjects such as hands-on aircraft maintenance training, dangerous goods, first aid, Morse code and pilot-oriented maths and physics. Although the theory components of the course are conducted at the College, flying training can be carried out by any approved flying school, under the College’s supervision.

Falcon 2000 Certificated By Faa

Dassault’s new Falcon 2000 business jet has been awarded certification by the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), three months after receiving its ‘ticket’ from the European Joint Airworthiness Authority. The approval marks the first occasion on which the FAA has approved a new business jet type which had previously been certificated by the JAA. The first customer Falcon 2000 entered service with a South African customer in late February, with the first US aircraft following shortly afterwards. The twinjet Falcon 2000 has the cabin cross-section of the longer-range Falcon 900 trijet and is capable of flying 3000nm (5550km) at Mach 0.80 with eight passengers on board. It already holds two world speed records between the city pairs of Los Angeles/Bangor and Bangor/Paris, set by a pre-production aircraft in October 1994.

Pilot Training At Tafe

The NSW Technical And Further Training Commission (TAFE) has entered into a joint venture arrangement with the University of New South Wales for pilot training. The agreement involves teachers of aviation studies from the Southern Sydney Institute of TAFE, Padstow College Aeroskills Centre, to conduct courses in an Advanced Certificate Aviation Pilots Licence — Aeroplanes; and an Associate Diploma of Aeronautics — Aeroplanes Stage 1. The result of this is that all facets of aviation theory for the issue of a Commercial Pilots Licence is now provided by TAFE’s new Padstow College at Bankstown Airport plus the Ultimo, Richmond and Brookvale campuses. Students will learn the mechanics of flying, aircraft systems and navigation, the courses following the Civil Aviation Authority syllabus. The course will emphasise face-to-face teaching, allowing students to learn in the classroom and the hangar instead of tackling textbooks alone at home. Studied full-time, the course takes 14 weeks to complete.

Ga Shipments Down Again

Despite greater optimism for the future following the recent relaxation of America’s product liability laws, 1994 saw members of the US General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) deliver fewer new aircraft in 1994 than they did the previous year. Overall, shipments reached 928 units (964 in 1993) comprising 444 single-engine piston aircraft, 55 piston twins, 207 turboprops and 222 jets. The biggest mover was Raytheon (Beech and the Hawker jets) which shipped 317 aircraft made up of 103 piston singles, 31 piston twins, 140 turboprops and 43 jets. Next best was Cessna with 51 Caravans and 121 Citation corporate jets. Cessna also took new orders for 139 Caravans and 203 Citations, both records. Other manufacturers’ figures include: Piper 132 deliveries (108 singles and 24 twins), Mooney 71, Maule 65, Learjet 36, Gulfstream 22, Fairchild Metros 16, Commander 22 and American Champion 22. Exports were disappointing with only 241 aircraft or 29% of sales going to overseas customers.

Calling All Modellers

Planning for the Wagga Model Aero Club’s 22nd World War II Scale Event is now well underway with the 1995 event to be held at the club’s Connorton Field on April 22 and 23. This major event usually draws a big crowd of spectators — some 4000 are expected this year — with a wide range of quality models covering not just WWII but also WWI and all other military aircraft. No admission fee is charged and the club is looking for sponsors in the form of goods for use in the prize draw, or direct financial assistance.