Newsdesk – General Aviation

Upgraded Turbo Commanders

Twin Commander Aircraft Corporation (TCAC), holder of the rights to the former Aero Commander/Gulfstream range of business twins, has introduced a programme to rebuild and upgrade older 690 series turbine Commanders. The upgrade includes the fitting of four blade McCauley propellers, an S-Tec autopilot and an active noise control system which reduces cabin noise levels by 10dB. An existing TCAC engine upgrade for Turbo Commanders has already attracted 20 customers, while two of the latest upgrade standard – called ‘Renaissance Commanders’ – have also been sold.

Iai Increases Bizjet Production

Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) will ‘significantly increase’ the production rate of its business jet range in 1996 and further increases are planned the following year. 1996 will see the basic Astra SP and high speed Astra SPX in production together for the first time, while the widebody Astra Galaxy will join the line in 1997. Astra SP production is currently sold out until the end of this year while the SPX is sold out until the middle of 1996. More than 20 position deposits are held on the Galaxy, which sells for $US13.9m ‘green’. Yakovlev was to build the Galaxy prototypes’ fuselage and empennage, but this arrangement was recently cancelled.

Loran C Phased Out Early

The USA has decided to phase out use of the Loran C radio navigation system in 2000, 15 years earlier than originally planned. The move is strongly opposed by the US general aviation community which has purchased Loran C equipment in large numbers based on the original phaseout date. The US Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is lobbying for the system to remain operational at least until 2010 so operators will achieve at least some return on their investment. The Federal Aviation Administration wants Loran phased out early in favour of GPS but those who want to retain Loran say it is very cost effective and a viable backup for GPS.

Orenda V8 Engine Developments

The Orenda Division of Hawker Siddeley Canada has decided to incorporate various enhanced features in its new, high output V8 piston aero engine series before presenting the engines for certification. To date, the engines have been bench tested for extended periods at up to 750hp (560kW), or 25% more than the rated 600hp (450kW). Improvements to be introduced as a result of customer input include replacing the existing twin turbocharger installation with a single, more powerful unit and modification of the oil system to reduce complexity and improve maintainability. These changes will delay certification but result in a much better engine for operators. Orenda says the initial market response has been overwhelming with enquiries received from pilots, manufacturers and designers. The Orenda V8 engines are sleeveless cylinder designs made from high silicon content aluminium alloy. They have a displacement of 8.1 litres (495 cubic inches) and will be offered in normally aspirated 500hp (375kW), plus turbocharged 600hp (450kW) and 750hp (560kW) variants. Development engines are being assembled and mockup installations for the Beech Kingair C90 and DHC Beaver have been manufactured. Flight testing is scheduled to begin before the end of the year.

Essendon Future Unclear

The future of Melbourne’s Essendon Airport remains as unclear as ever with contradictory reports emerging in recent weeks. Early reports said that Minister for Transport Laurie Brereton and Housing and Regional Development Minister Brian Howe had already decided to close Essendon and redevelop the site for housing and light industrial uses. This was quickly denied by the Federal Government, which said no agreement had been reached between the two ministers and that it was too early to say the airport would definitely close. Microsoft has released version 5.1 of its ever popular and best selling Flight Simulator programme. Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.1 is an improved development of version 5.0, which quickly became the industry standard flight sim and was comprehensively reviewed in our May 1994 issue. Valuable improvements incorporated in 5.1 include more detailed scenery of cities, towns, countryside and geographic features, new and testing Flight Challenges, user customisable weather, clouds and visibility, and improved flight modelling. Version 5.1 has also been released on CD-ROM. The CD version contains more than 150 additional airports and navigational signals, plus major rivers and mountains from all over the world including Australia. Pictured is the view from the left hand seat of Flight Simulator 5.1’s Learjet 35A, complete with glass instrumentation. As on Version 5.0, the Lear is one of four aircraft modelled by 5.1, the others being the Cessna 182RG, Schweizer 2-32 glider and the Sopwith Camel. However, removing Essendon from the Melbourne airports equation could still prove difficult. The most recent study into its future recommended it be retained as it still serves a very useful purpose with numerous general aviation maintenance, freight and corporate businesses operating from there. In addition, a number of non aviation businesses occupy the site. The study also suggests that the closure of Essendon would probably result in the need for another runway to be built at Tullamarine in order to handle the extra traffic generated as many of Essendon’s existing businesses would move there. This would have the secondary effect of increasing Tullamarine’s potential sale value, and will undoubtedly be a major factor in the Government’s final decision. Other businesses could relocate to Avalon. Geelong City’s political and commercial leaders are keen to see Avalon further developed and regard it as potentially a major freight hub.

Skyfox Needs Workers

Caloundra based manufacturer Skyfox Aviation is facing a pleasant dilemma – it needs more workers to help meet production demands for its two seat light aircraft. Production is currently being restricted by a lack of staff despite advertising and working closely with the CES. The company built 110 taildragger Skyfoxes over a four year period but the introduction of the new nosewheel Gazelle variant has substantially increased demand. The current production rate of 30 aircraft per year will have to be increased to at least 60 and perhaps as many as 100 per annum to meet current and potential orders.

Macphee Sues Smith

Ian Macphee, the former Fraser government minister and head of the 1992 enquiry into the tendering process for the CARS air traffic control system, is suing adventurer, former CAA chairman and current chairman of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Dick Smith, for defamation. The move follows Mr Smith’s recent written remarks in a press release accusing Mr Macphee of corruption in the findings which followed the enquiry. It was found that then CAA chief executive Frank Baldwin and former projects manager Rob Edwards had acted incompetently in awarding the contract the competition for which was then reopened. Mr Smith was CAA chairman between 1990 and 1992. Mr Macphee’s writ seeks unspecified damages and alleges harm to his personal and professional reputation as well as causing distress and embarrassment.

Kit Jabiru Available

The popular Australian Jabiru composite, two seat light aircraft is now available to the amateur builder as a ‘Quickbuild’ Kit as a result of popular demand. The kit comes with everything except primer and paint, while even a VHF radio is included. The time required to complete the aircraft is put at 600 man-hours. Also included are a detailed constructor’s manual with step by step procedures, checklists, engineering drawings and more than 100 colour photographs. The checklists advise of the approximate building time for each stage. The Jabiru airframe kit costs $22,950 and the engine/propeller kit $12,000.