People, Bottom Line, Book & Video Reviews

Dassault’s net group profit for 1995 was FF526m ($A128.3m), up from FF429m in 1994. Sales for the year were FF14.2bn ($A3.5bn).

Cathay Pacific has announced a net profit of $HK2.98bn ($A480m) for 1995 (up 24.7%), on turnover of $HK30.5bn ($A4.95bn) up 11.9%.

Cathay Pacific Cargo contributed 18% of its parent’s revenue for 1995, at $HK5.7bn ($A929m) up 21%.

Books

Viscount, Comet & Concorde: Stewart Wilson

The third in the well-received Legends of the Air series but the first about airliners, Viscount, Comet and Concorde details the development histories and service careers of three of the most technologically advanced and important civil aircraft to emerge since WW2. All three of these aircraft were trailblazers and true pioneers in their fields. The Vickers Viscount was the first turboprop-powered aircraft to enter service and was a runaway commercial success, the Comet was the first jet-powered airliner and looked set to give the British aircraft industry commercial ascendancy, while the elegant Anglo/French Concorde is the only supersonic airliner to ever see regular passenger service. As such, each of these three airliners have fascinating development and service histories far more interesting than most contemporary airliners.

The Viscount was first developed from a requirement of the wartime Brabazon Committee. After facing an early uncertain future with few sales prospects, the Viscount’s combination of speed, passenger comfort and operating economics soon proved irresistible to airlines around the world (including in the tough-to-crack North American market) and 444 were built.

The de Havilland Comet was at the bleeding edge of aviation technology at the time of its first flight in 1949. After a promising start, a series of unexplained crashes left this revolutionary airliner grounded. Investigations revealed metal fatigue to be the culprit; however, by the time the revised Comet 4 entered service, de Havilland’s lead in jet airliner development had been surrendered to Boeing with the 707.

The Concorde story is one of politics, technical triumph and commercial disaster. However, despite only 20 being built and firm orders from just two airlines, the Concorde daily flies at a sustained Mach 2 with 100 passengers, something unmatched by any other aircraft. In fact, in two decades of service, the Concorde has logged more supersonic flight time than all the military aircraft of the world combined.

This 200-page book, written by Australia’s most prolific aviation author, makes for very interesting reading. It is illustrated with over 250 photographs (including many in colour), with excellent schematics and diagrams (most specially commissioned) and 48 original full-colour line drawings.

Available from major newsagencies in softcover or direct from Aerospace Publications, PO Box 1777, Fyshwick ACT 2609, ph (06) 280 0111, fax (06) 280 0007 for $22.95 for soft cover or $32.95 for hard cover plus $4.95 p&p.

Flight At Lower Levels: John Freeman

This book is a very worthy, and readable, look into the hazards and peculiarities of flying at low level (i.e. below 1000ft AGL), written specifically with the pilot in mind.

Chapters in the book delve into flight at or below 500ft (looking into such variables as wind, turbulence, bird strikes and manoeuvring an aircraft at low altitude), flying near powerlines, low flying in hilly terrain, low level circuits and low level navigation. Simple line drawings and charts back up the text. Easy to read and comprehend, this book is well worth its modest purchase price for the practical lessons contained within.

In recognition of the value of this book, author John Freeman won an AAUP flight safety award, presented at Mangalore this year. John has over 40 years flying experience, much of which was spent at low level, and for a time was employed by the then CAA as its low level safety specialist.

Available from Low Level Aviation, PO Box 39, Walkerville, or Walkerville Press, PO Box 2266, Kent Town 5071 for $14.95 plus $2.50 postage.