Yester Year

In the devastation which followed these tragic events, almost 3000 innocent lives were lost, onboard the aircraft and on the ground, with the collapse of the South Tower at 0958 hours followed by the North Tower at 1028 hours, and in the destruction of three outer rings of the Pentagon structure. The events of this day are to have profound implications and changes in many aspects of daily life worldwide, including the conduct of aviation activities.

• At 0940 hours, in an unprecedented move, the FAA halted air traffic across the US. Of 114 aircraft westbound to the US from Europe, 45 diverted to Canada, 30 returned to the UK, with the remaining aircraft returned to European departure points. On September 13 at 1100 hours US airspace was gradually reopened. In addition to the US initiatives, Canadaclosed its air space while an initial ban by Russia on flights over Moscow and St Petersburg was later extended to general aviation flights.

• In the aftermath of the September 11 disaster, several US airlines announced swift action.

On September 12 Midway Airlines announced the immediate suspension of future flight operations, on September 15 Continental Airlines announced a long term reduction by 20 per cent of its flight schedule and the furlough of about 20,000 employees, Northwest Airlines also revealed a similar 20 per cent flight reduction, while United Airlines had a 20 per cent cut in worldwide schedules.

In the days ahead other US carriers announced flight reductions resulting from the terrorist attacks.

• Ansett Australia and its subsidiaries were grounded on September 14 following an announcement at 0200 hours local time from the administrator, Peter Hedge of PricewaterhouseCoopers, to immediately suspend all flight operations.

The decision included Ansett Australia, Ansett International, Aeropelican Air Services, Hazelton Airlines, Kendall Airlines and Skywest Airlines.

• The maiden flight of the first Avro RJX-100, G-IRJX, tookplace from BAE Systems’ airfield at Woodford, Cheshire on September 23.

• The maiden flight of the Pacific Aerospace Corporation PAC 750 XL, ZK-XLA, took place from Hamilton, New Zealand on September 5.

Although specifically designed for skydiving tasks, the rugged design could see it sold for other uses. The aircraft is derived from the Cresco 750 agricultural/light utility aircraft.

25 Years Ago

• The prototype Grumman F-14A Plus Super Tomcat powered by General Electric F110-GE-400 turbofans and with advanced avionics had its maiden flight from Calverton, New York, on September 29.

Test pilot Joe Burke took the aircraft to Mach 1. 1 at 25,000ft and reached a maximum altitude of 35,000ft.

• Japan Air Lines, which was the first airline to order the Boeing 767-300, took delivery of JA8234 on September 25 and has three more on order. The stretched -300 has a fuselage 6. 4m longer than the -200 and can seat 261-290 passengers.

• British Aerospace has announced that production activities at the Weybridge,Surrey factory will cease by the end of 1987. The last complete aircraft built at the facility was the Super VC10. The site was originally founded by Vickers Ltd within the boundaries of the Brooklands car racing circuit.

• Air Pacific has ordered two ATR 42s for domestic Fijian and regional services

50 Years Ago

• The Hawker P. 1127 flown by Bill Bedford and Hugh Merewether at Dunsfold, Surrey, on September 12 has become the first operational aircraft in the world to successfully make the transition from vertical to level flight, achieved using a single Bristol Pegasus 11,000lb engine for lift and thrust.

• Lockheed Electras which have been structurally modified, now designated the Electra II, are being returned to airline service, enabling them to fly at cruising speeds in excess of 400mph.

• Following a DCA order making the requirement for flight recorders mandatory by January 1 1963, for turbine-powered aircraft above 5670kg (12,500lb) AUW operating in Australia, Ansett-ANA and Trans- Australia Airlines have placed a joint order for 70 United Data Control flight instrument and voice recorders. They will be installed in their Electra, Viscount and Friendship aircraft. Qantas has ordered 23 units of the similar and alternative Lockheed 109C recording device for their aircraft operating internationally.

• Among recent federal government decisions for airport improvements is the plan to extend the existing 1676m (5500ft) north-south runway at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport into Botany Bay, with a proposed initial length of 2286m (7500ft) at a cost of £3,000,000.