Newsdesk — General Aviation

1996 Calendar Of Aviation Events

(Courtesy AOPA) July 27-28: AOPA Great Aussie Bush Picnic Fly-In, Temora, NSW. (06) 280 4221. July 27: Torii Tours depart for Seattle, Dayton, Oshkosh, Washington, Orlando, Phoenix and Los Angeles. Contact Jill Cook ph (02) 233 8500, fax (02) 231 2758. Aug 1-7: Oshkosh EAA Convention, Oshkosh, WI, USA. Aug 1-2: Sunshine State Air Race, Maroochydore, Qld. (041) 463 5194. Aug 9-Sept 1: Jabiru Jaunt, from Noosa Qld Around Australia RFDS Fund Raiser. (074) 49 9880 or (018) 07 4474. Aug 10: Cloncurry Airshow, Qld. (077) 42 1441. Aug 10-24: Mobil Outback Air Race, outback and coastal WA. Major fundraising event for RFDS. Ph (041) 122 1098, fax (09) 417 3880. Aug 11: Goana Tours Air Safari Reef/Centre/Outback, 13 days. (07) 3204 2211. Aug 23-25: Australian Bonanza Society Fly-In to Brampton Is. (079) 54 6350. Aug 23-25: Coffs Harbour Salutes Aviation. (066) 52 2992 or (066) 52 0764 fax (066) 52 1773. Aug 25: Anniversary RANAS HMAS Albatross, Nowra. (044) 21 1920. Aug 31: Sunraysia Airshow, Mildura, Vic. (050) 21 4446, fax (050) 21 1899. Sept 7-8: Farnborough Airshow, Hampshire, England UK. 44 171 227 1067. Sept 8: Goana Tours Air Safari Around Australia, 32 days. Mal Shipton (07) 3204 2211. Sept 14-15: Sun’N’Fun SAAA Qld Division Annual Fly-In, Kingaroy. (07) 3299 3772. Sept 29: GAPAN Aviation Day, Warnervale, NSW. (018) 22 9405. Oct 5-7: Spring Fling Khancoban Fly-In, Khancoban, NSW. (060) 76 9471. Oct 5-7: Coffs Harbour Air Race. (066) 52 2992. Oct 12: Curdimurka Outback Ball, Curdimurka SA. (08) 358 6600. Oct 17-19: AOPA Expo 1996. San Jose, California, USA. (06) 280 4440. Oct 19-20: Dubbo Aero Club Fly-In 96 and AOPA Committee Meeting. (019) 611 846 or (068) 841 033. Nov 1-3: Australian Bonanza Society Fly-In & AGM at Mount Gambier, SA. Ph (087) 25 2761, fax (087) 24 9512. Nov 6-10: Hopetoun Airsports ’96, Hopetoun, Vic. (050) 833 397. Nov 9: NSW Interclub Flying Competitions. Round 3 Tamworth, NSW. (045) 72 5724. Nov 24: Wings and Wheels Museum Family Air Day, RANAS HMAS Albatross, Nowra. (044) 21 1920. Nov 30: Seaplane Pilots Association Annual Splash-In, Rose Bay NSW. (018) 22 9405. Feb 18-23 1997: Third Australian International Air Show and Aerospace Expo. Avalon Airport Geelong Vic. (052) 82 4400. 1900 13 0266. If you have an event you’d like publicised in our next Calendar of Aviation Events, write to Australian Aviation, PO Box 1777, Fyshwick ACT 2609 or fax (06) 280 0007.

Citation X Certificated

The Cessna Citation X — marketed as the world’s fastest business jet (apart from Concorde, of course!) — has been awarded full type certification by the US FAA after a more than 3000 hours flight test program. Incorporating much new technology, particularly in the wing and aerofoil design, the eight to 10 passenger Citation X has a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.92, a range of up to 3300nm (6115km) at lower speeds, a maximum operating altitude of 51,000ft (15,545m) and a gross takeoff weight of 16,012kg (35,300lb). The first prototype flew in December 1993.

BASI Reports That Aircraft Accidents Were Down In 1995

Figures recently released by BASI show that the number of aircraft accidents during 1995 were below the three year average. There were 245 accidents in all categories which included 27 fatalities. The number of accidents was highest in the private/business category at 94, with 40 accidents recorded in the charter category, and training, agricultural and aerial work accounting for 38, 29, and 23 respectively. When queried as to the apparent upsurge in fatal accidents over recent months, BASI offered the view that these will prove to be within the yearly statistical average when that calculation is made for 1996. Notwithstanding this, the general public would have the perception that fatal accidents have been reported almost weekly in the general media over that period. A study of BASI statistics shows that in the 10 year period 1985/94, the fatal accidents/year ranged from a low of 16 in 1985 to a high of 40 in 1990. A sample of 75 fatal accidents extracted from the BASI database shows that the largest proportion (38.6%) occurred on private/business flights. The three most frequent first occurrences in accidents were loss of control; collision with terrain (control unknown); and wirestrike. Most accidents had more than one contributing factor. Over 70% of accidents involved pilot factors with the most common being poor judgement and decision making, but BASI has come to recognise that although pilot factors loom large, accidents frequently have their origins in systemic or organisational failings. It will be interesting to see if in the long run, the inquiries presently being conducted into GA and training produce any long term reduction in the overall accident rate. 14 Australian Aviation August 1996

Win A Ferrari And Help The RFDS

The Royal Flying Doctor Service, in one of its major fund raising efforts of the year, is offering the chance to win a Ferrari 355 Spider valued at $313,294. This is first prize in the RFDS Outback Car Trek Lottery and there are two consolation prizes of Sony Big screen televisions and projection units valued at around $13,000 each. There are only 1400 tickets available at $400 each. Tickets are only available directly from the RFDS so call (02) 9419 4223 or (02) 9299 5766 to enter or to ask for more information. Major credit cards are accepted. So please get in and support one of Australia’s most important services and be in the running to win a Ferrari.

Club Atmosphere Returns To Bankstown

With the re-establishment of the Schofields Flying Club at Sydney’s Bankstown Airport following the much lamented forced closure of Schofields aerodrome last year, a long lost facility for Sydney’s general aviation pilots has returned. One of the more unusual items of aviation paraphernalia we have seen is the plane bank, or what we would call a good old fashioned money box. These are very popular in the US and this one depicts an US Navy F-16N. To operate the money box, the cockpit canopy is raised and coins can be inserted. When you want your money back you simply twist the afterburner nozzle and the coins drop out from a ventral opening at the rear of the aircraft! Available from Cowley’s Motorcycles and Collectables, 62 Napolean St, Port Lincoln SA 5606, phone (086) 82 4444. While Bankstown has always boasted a wide choice of flying training facilities, there hasn’t been a traditional style of flying club available for private pilots since the demise of the Royal Aero Club of NSW some time ago. Now that the major task of moving the entire Schofields Flying Club facility to Bankstown has been completed, the friendly flying club atmosphere is once again available in combination with full training facilities. Schofields Flying Club operates a fleet of Cessna 150s, Piper Warriors, Bellanca Super Decathlon and Piper Seminole aircraft. Club and interclub competitions are a feature of its calendar along with information nights and social functions. The first 12 months’ membership is free for new members. Give ‘Schoeys’ a ring on (02) 773 3611 for further information and tell them you read about it in Australian Aviation.

Around The World Again

As these words were being written, intrepid solo pilot and a ‘quiet achiever’ of Australian aviation, Jon Johanson, was in the middle of an around the world flight in his homebuilt Van Grunsven RV-4 light aircraft, his second such flight in the space of a year. This time Jon’s flight is in the opposite direction — east to west — travelling from Australia to the Cocos Islands, Rodriguez Island, Mauritius, Durban, Brazil, the USA and across the Pacific back to Australia. While in the USA, he will be a guest at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s annual airshow at Oshkosh. Before departing Australia, Jon was presented with the prestigious Oswald Watt Gold Medal in recognition of the previous around the world flight and other records he holds for light aircraft including Adelaide/Oshkosh and London/Melbourne, the latter beating the previous mark by over 11 days. Jon Johanson built his RV-4 in 1992. Additional fuel tanks give the aircraft an endurance of 18.5 hours and a range of over 2500nm (4630km) cruising at between 135 and 160 knots (250 to 295km/h).

Information Wanted

New Zealand reader Andrew North has written to us asking if anyone can help with information he is seeking on an aircraft used by Admiral Byrd on his expeditions to Antarctica. The aircraft in question is Beech D17A VH-AFP/A39-2, the former NC20778. It survived until 1963 when it crashed at Springton Qld and was written off. Andrew is after any information on or photographs of this aircraft and is happy to pay for anything provided. He can be contacted at cnr Major and Dominion Rds, Seadown RD3, Timaru, South Island NZ.

SAR Inquiry Ordered

Minister for Transport John Sharp has announced an inquiry to discover if the efficiency and capability of civil aviation and national maritime search and rescue (SAR) operations would be better under a single organisation. The inquiry’s terms of reference include examination of the benefits and efficiencies which may result from amalgamation into a single national SAR co-ordination centre and the optimum organisational arrangements for a centre in terms of location, industrial relations, communications, infrastructure, reporting and administrative arrangements and funding sources. AirServices Australia’s rescue co-ordination centre is in Melbourne and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority operates from Canberra.

Dakota National Air Unveils Company Expansion Plans

To highlight its plans for the future, Dakota National Air staged an impressive presentation at Bankstown Airport on June 6, writes Eric Allen. The purpose of the function was to reveal the next phase of its expansion plans. In recognition of the significant date, the anniversary of the D-Day landing, a band played Glenn Miller music ably accompanied by vocalists. The stars of the proceedings were five of the company’s six DC-3s operating in Sydney, VH-BPN, VH-DNA, VH-PWN, VH-SBL and VH-UPQ. Also in evidence were several warbirds and a variety of World War 2 military vehicles. Dakota National Air, which currently operates Champagne Joyflights around Sydney and Winery Tours to the Hunter Valley, will expand its network to offer tours to other NSW and interstate destinations. It feels these DC-3 flights will offer inbound tourists a fascinating insight into outback Australia. There is no doubt that these comfortable aircraft would be a major drawcard to overseas visitors. Australian Aviation had the opportunity to sample the joys of DC-3 travel on VH-SBL. The aircraft was a credit to the operator and would have to rank as a first class example of the DC-3. Among several new tour itineraries is the piece de resistance, an eight day Outback Safari operating Bankstown/Broken Hill/Coober Pedy/Uluru/Alice Springs/Birdsville/Lightning Ridge/Dubbo/Bankstown.

Something Different, Something Definitely Fun

One thing about aviation is that there are a lot of people involved in this wonderful pursuit of ours who also appreciate the exciting and exacting sport of motor racing. AA’s Stewart Wilson and Jim Thorn both had motor sport past lives (which they would prefer were still current!) and naturally would not pass up opportunity to sample the fast lane on four wheels on a proper motor racing circuit. The faces behind the names. Happily posing together at the official opening of our new Fyshwick, Canberra offices is the new look Australian Aviation/Aerospace Publications team. Rear row from left to right is the newest member of the team, Editorial Assistant Ian Hewitt, who backs up our diverse editorial team and joined us in April. Alongside Ian is Gerard Frawley who was recently promoted from Deputy Editor to Editor, and Maria Davey, Advertising Manager. Front row from left is Gayla Wilson, magazine Production Manager. Next to Gayla is Lee-Ann Simm who is in charge of circulation and order processing. Alongside Lee is Margaret Thorn, who after a 19 year involvement with the magazine bows out after selling her half share in Aerospace Publications to Jim Thorn (Managing Editor & Publisher) who completes our rollcall. Not shown is Stewart Wilson, our prolific book author, who has also recently been appointed as Senior News Editor. Just such an occasion occurred recently via long time AA reader Peter Finlay who operates an internationally successful performance drivers school based in Sydney. We joined Peter for a day for his Formula Ford experience at Sydney’s picturesque Amaroo Park circuit. The day comprises four stages of graduated driving for a total of around 40 laps in a fully competitive Van Diemen RF 85/6. What can we say. If you’ve never driven a proper racecar on a proper race circuit (and Amaroo is about as good as it gets) then you haven’t lived. No heroics are required or indeed wanted from Peter’s professional team, so while there is no pressure on you to be a Damon Hill, you can drive fast and safely, learning skills that you probably have never before imagined. All in all a great day and a wonderful experience. We certainly recommend this for our readers who have ‘done it all’ and what a wonderful thing it would be if ‘someone’ gave you this as a gift! For more info call Peter direct on (02) 871 1018.

Learn To Fly Scholarship

Are you in Year 11 or Year 12 and want to learn to fly? The Australian Flying Training School at Bankstown is offering a $2500 scholarship to fly solo early next year. All you have to do if you are in your final two years of high school is write a two page handwritten letter to AFTS’s principal Captain Geoff Westwood on ‘Why You Wish to Fly Solo’, and include your school’s name and the name of your careers teacher and send it to AFTS, PO Box 148, Yagoona, NSW 2199.