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Jon Johanson became the first Australian to fly around the world in an amateur built aircraft when he landed back at Adelaide on Monday September 4. Jon originally left Australia on July 23, flying across the Pacific to the USA via Fiji, Pago Pago, Christmas Island and Hawaii. After flying across the US, including participation at this year’s Oshkosh convention (refer report 030 of this issue) he flew across the Atlantic to Spain, via the Azores in two days. From Spain Jon flew to Biggin Hill, London, where he prepared for his successful attempt at breaking the London/Melbourne FAI class record. Jon successfully smashed that record (held by Australian Clive Canning) by 10 days. Jon’s RV-4 was specially modified for the trip, equipped with dual GPS and long range fuel tanks, necessary as some of sectors were over 15 hours and 2,000nm (3,700km) long. The amazing trip was the culmination of Jon’s longtime wish to build and fly his own aircraft to Oshkosh. Congratulations Jon and also to the SAAA for its excellent and professional support for the record attempt. (Robert Wiseman)
Newsdesk — General Aviation
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Lockheed Delivers Best Offer for C-130j
The RAAF plans to acquire 12 C-130J-30 Hercules to replace 37 Squadron’s 30 year old C-130Es, although at the RAAF’s request the Lockheed Martin proposal also includes incentives for the RAAF to order up to 36 J model Hercules. It is likely that additional Js will be ordered to replace the C-130Hs of 38 Squadron, while others could be purchased as tankers, for use as an AEW platform and possibly to replace the Caribou. New Zealand has also been invited to participate in any additional RAAF C-130J order and has been offered the aircraft at the same price as Australia. The C-130J unit cost is estimated at $40m.
Lockheed plans to place about $250m worth of work with the Australian aerospace industry once the initial RAAF order is signed. Hawker de Havilland has been selected to design and build the C-130J’s composite flaps for at least the first 180 aircraft. Executive Vice President of Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems Al Hansen noted that he was surprised to learn that Hawker de Havilland is “a premier composite manufacturer”. Honeywell Australia is also making ruggedised laptop computers used for C-130J maintenance support, while Aviall will build C-130J hoses at its new plant in Melbourne. The Lockheed Martin proposal also includes an incentive to sign for the aircraft before the end of this year. Should the RAAF order the aircraft by early next year the first C-130J-30 can be delivered as early as May 1997.
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