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Engine problems have curtaliled RNZAF MB-339 operations.
New Zealand News
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Air New Zealand 737 Update
Air New Zealand hoped to have all ten of its grounded 737-200s returned to service by mid April. Air New Zealand and the NZ CAA made the decision to ground the 10 737-200s fitted with hushkits in mid February after a number of the hushkit equipped aircraft suffered turbine failures. The faults with the turbines were found in various sections of the engine and was attributed to blades that had been overhauled under contract in the USA. The overhauled blades were also fitted to the three aircraft that are not fitted with hushkits, but, as far as can be told, the fact that the blades failed only on hushkitted aircraft was a coincidence. The overhauled blades are being replaced by new blades sourced from the engines’ manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney. The cause of the blade failures has yet to be determined, although Air New Zealand were able to predict when they would occur. To overcome the grounding Air New Zealand initially leased 737s from Solomons and Air Nauru and then later Air Pacific and placed 767s on domestic services. The Air Pacific 737-500 and Solomons 737-300 could only be used partially as they had to meet commitments with their operators, although the airline had full use of the Air Nauru Boeing 737-400. In addition Air New Zealand leased a Britannia 757 which was mainly used on peak services between Auckland and Christchurch, but also operated into Wellington. The leased 737s and 757s, plus Air New Zealand’s own 767s meant that by mid March the airline was back to 100% traffic capacity, although frequencies were still down.
Macchi Operations Seriously Restricted
The discovery of cracking in the turbine blade route attachment within the first stage compressor of some of the RNZAF’s MB-339’s Viper turbojets has seriously curtailed flying training operations, with only eight of the 17 Macchis flying, at the time of writing. The cracks were first discovered in late February during routine engine maintenance. Of seven engines initially inspected once the discovery was first made, three were found to have the cracking. Upon consultation with the Viper’s manufacturer, Rolls-Royce, the RNZAF allowed those Macchis to fly whose engine’s had less than 300 hours, which effectively grounded nine aircraft. Rolls-Royce is having to remanufacture replacement parts under warranty for the engines and so it will be some months before all the aircraft are returned to service. The engine manufacturer is also investigating the cause of the cracking, which is peculiar to the Viper Mk 680-43 of the MB-339C, of which New Zealand is the only operator. It’s still unclear as to what long term effects the engine problems will have on RNZAF MB-339 operations and aircrew training commitments. Initially the RNZAF has reshuffled its current training courses to bring forward ground training components.
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Airways Profits Up, Charges Down
Airways Corporation has posted a $NZ4m profit for the last six months of 1994 on revenue of $NZ46.7m, above previous profit expectations, and as a result has announced a further reduction in charges for some of its services. The higher than expected profitability was attributed to significant growth in air traffic services revenue due to increased commercial aircraft movements. Consequently the Government corporation has announced a 3% cut in charges for enroute IFR and the International Airport Approach Service, which has been in place since March 1. The 3% reduction will remain in effect at least until June 30 1997, provided that conditions outlined in Airways’ Statement of Corporate Intent do not change. Airways will announce in its Annual Report, due in September, if the reduced charges can remain in effect beyond 1997. The 3% cut in charges is in addition to a 10% drop in charges for IFR traffic announced in October 1994. Also during the six month period Airways launched the Oceanic Control Systems Project, which will enable the use of satellite technology for flight navigation over the ocean, allowing for improved safety and cost efficiency for international airlines operating into New Zealand.
Smoke Detector Failure Sparks Alarm
The failure of a toilet smoke detector to pick up three Japanese passengers smoking in a single toilet (!) on a recent Air New Zealand flight has raised concerns over the effectiveness of smoke detectors on some Boeing aircraft. According to a report in the Flight Attendants and Related Services association newsletter, the incident has sparked concerns over the viability of 747-400 and 767-300 smoke detectors, with a report revealing that the detectors could pick up waste paper fires, but not cigarette smoke. The Flight Attendants’ report says the airline is working with Boeing to resolve the problem.
Auckland Airport Profits Rise
The same increase in commercial airline traffic that buoyed Airways Corporation’s rise in profits has also had a positive affect on Auckland International Airport’s profits for the six months to December 30 1994. Operating profit before tax for the half was $NZ27m, up from $NZ21.9m for the same half in 1993, while net profit after tax was $NZ16.6m, compared with $NZ13.5m for the comparable half in 1993. The airport says that despite the increased pressures placed on its facilities due to the increase in traffic, it was able to contain operating costs. For the six month period international passenger numbers increased by 9.8% compared with the comparable 1993 half to 1,932,400, while domestic passenger numbers grew by 15% to 1,480,500. Other good news for the airport in recent times was Standard & Poor’s decision to upgrade the airport company’s long term debt rating from AA- to A+, and the short term rating from A1+ to A1. Further, the airport has also acquired from the Shuttleworth Collection in the UK the Percival Gull 6 Jean Batten used in 1936 to become the first person to fly between England and New Zealand. The aircraft will become a permanent display in the expanded international terminal.
Briefs
The new joint BA/Qantas three weekly flights between Auckland and London via LA will save up to three hours travel time compared with BA’s existing services via Asia. A pilot managed to swim to shore and safety after ditching his Squirrel helicopter in Curious Cove, Queen Charlotte Sound, near Picton. The Squirrel encountered trouble while operating at an altitude of 100ft and sank in 30m of water.
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