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The DC-10 will be leased from an American operator and configured in a 10-abreast, 380-seat, 32-inch pitch all-economy class layout.

Meanwhile, Kiwi’s major direct competitor Freedom Air International has released details of its new charter schedule from April 25 to October 26 this year, which consists of nine weekly return services between Hamilton, Dunedin, and Palmerston North to Brisbane and Sydney (the new services from Palmerston North will operate via Hamilton). A number of ad hoc charter flights between New Zealand and the Queensland centres of Cairns, Coolangatta, and others are also planned. Freedom is also negotiating for a new aircraft to replace its Boeing 757, which is due to be returned in late April. The 737-300 and A320 (both smaller aircraft) are being studied.

Amberley Show Looks Good

The official RAAF 75th anniversary airshow at Amberley on May 4-5 is shaping up to be a good one with an interesting and diverse array of local and overseas aircraft and displays.

Among the flying display attractions confirmed so far (with more to come) are the Roulettes, F-111, F/A-18 Hornet, 707 tanker, USMC AV-8B Harrier II, RNZAF and Singaporean A-4 Skyhawks, RAF Tornado and Nimrod, Hercules, Caribou, and Orion. Of great interest will be the USAF’s contribution of an F-15 Eagle fighter and no fewer than three Rockwell B-1B bombers.

The warbird and historic aircraft movements will also be well represented with appearances by Harvards, Wirraways, SP-2H Neptune, CAC Sabre, Vampire, a four-ship Winjeel formation team, Sea Fury, Mustang, Dakota, Tiger Moths, and a Spitfire.

The Amberley show promises to offer the enthusiast a wonderful array of aircraft, new and old. Combine them with parachute drops (including a 200-man drop from four Hercules), other airborne activities, plus a large static display, and you’ve got something which shouldn’t be missed!

Pacific Transair Chief Quits

Just weeks before it was due to begin scheduled operations, Rex Banks, the Chief Executive Officer of intending start-up domestic airline Pacific Transair has quit, as well as the airline’s chief pilot Maurie Baston and three other pilots.

Worth Checking Out!

If you’ve got five minutes, why not check out our first Australian Aviation Direct book catalogue which starts on page 43 of this issue. Our books cover almost every facet of aviation with both Australian and international coverage and make excellent gifts for that otherwise ‘difficult to buy for’ person, if not yourself. Also, if you are employed in the aviation industry, there is a good chance that your purchase may be tax deductible. Whether your interest is in military or civil aviation, you can rest assured we have a highly readable and value-priced book for you. It’s certainly worth checking out.

Sir Tim Goes Home

Sir Tim Wallis, the southern hemisphere’s leading warbirds collector, has been released from hospital 55 days after crashing one of his Spitfires at New Zealand’s Wanaka Airport.

Sir Tim suffered serious head injuries in the early January accident and remained unconscious for nearly eight weeks. He is still far from well and will continue treatment at home. The boss of the Alpine Fighter Collection now knows who he is, recognises his family, and has recovered some memory. We wish him well for a speedy and complete recovery.

Air Niugini Chief Quits

Air Niugini’s general manager, Mr. Dieter Seefeld, has bowed to pressure and resigned eight months before his contract was due to expire.

In charge since 1987, Mr. Seefeld will leave at the end of this month (April) after a period of turbulence both in the airline and in Papua New Guinea’s aviation industry generally. PNG Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan last year instigated a purge of the National Airline Commission, which acts as Air Niugini’s board. Some Australian pilots have been sacked for refusing to fly into airports where landing and navigational aids have broken down.

Big Order For Saab

US regional carrier Mesaba Airlines has signed an order for up to 72 Saab 340s, comprising 30 brand new Saab 340B Plus and 20 second-hand Saab 340As, plus 22 options.

Mesaba’s first Saab is due to be delivered in May, with deliveries continuing at approximately two per month through to September 1998. The Saabs will replace Mesaba’s current fleet of Metro III leadership and Dash 8s. Mesaba operates as Northwest Airlink from 61 cities in the US and Canada, feeding Northwest’s hubs of Detroit, Michigan and Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Air Fares Up

Australian domestic air travellers have been hit with the fourth fare increase in eight months, the latest round of rises increasing full economy fares and some discounts by 1.5% and business class by 4%. First class fares have also gone up.

A return economy class journey between Sydney and Melbourne now costs $518 ($510 before), an economy three-day advanced purchase costs $466 ($460), and a seven-day advance purchase $416 ($410). The return business class fare on the same route goes up to $666 (from $640) while the first class fare is $780 return.

Qantas and British Airways have also increased business and first class ‘promotional’ fares from Australia to Europe, London, Manchester, and Europe via the UK. The business class return fare goes up to $6599 return (from $5799) and first class to $8099. Cathay Pacific, Malaysian, Singapore Airlines, and Thai retain their discounted $5799 return business class fares to any point in Europe.

Too Hot To Handle

The heatwave which struck Perth during February caused flying training activities at RAAF Pearce to slow down considerably. The base had a string of temperatures between 37 and 43°C during the month, causing cockpit temperatures which the RAAF’s Macchi MB-326 jets’ air conditioning could not cope with. Flying began an hour earlier than usual in an attempt to beat the heat, but afternoon flights were usually cancelled. Republic of Singapore Air Force training activities at Pearce were also curtailed during the heatwave.