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The Snowy Mountains Authority has sold its N22 Nomad to Wide Bay Air Charter of Hervey Bay, who will use the aircraft for scenic flights over Fraser Island. In this role the Nomad should prove ideal, given its high wing and two abreast seating. The Snowy Mountains Authority continues to lease a Bell LongRanger helicopter. Meanwhile the Department of Defence is still expected to retire its grounded fleet of Nomads (refer Military section), pending a further review into the aircraft's safety, operations and suitability which is currently underway. (Jim Thorn)
Newsdesk – General Aviation
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Ga Deliveries Growing
US general aviation aircraft deliveries continue to gradually improve, with 445 aircraft worth $US1.3bn shipped in the first six months of 1995 compared with 406 worth $US973m in the same period of 1994. Turboprops were the biggest mover with 107 delivered in the January-June period, a 27% increase on 1994’s figure of 84. Jet deliveries increased marginally from 101 to 104, while piston engined light aircraft improved by 10% from 221 to 243. The only negative side to the result was a further drop in exports, down from 132 units in 1994 to 124. The value of these exports remained virtually the same as the previous year at $US282m. The Snowy Mountains Authority has sold its N22 Nomad to Wide Bay Air Charter of Hervey Bay, who will use the aircraft for scenic flights over Fraser Island. In this role the Nomad should prove ideal, given its high wing and two abreast seating. The Snowy Mountains Authority continues to lease a Bell LongRanger helicopter. Meanwhile the Department of Defence is still expected to retire its grounded fleet of Nomads (refer Military section), pending a further review into the aircraft’s safety, operations and suitability which is currently underway.
Masling Offers Garrett Powered Thrush
Masling Aviation, which is now based at Canberra Airport, has joined forces with Ag-Air Systems of Bend, Oregon USA, to market the latter’s products but specifically to offer Garrett powerplant installations for the S2R Thrush ag aircraft. Ag Air Systems displayed its Garrett powerplant installation for the Thrush at the Aerial Agricultural convention held in Melbourne last June where it elicited considerable interest. The display item which was recently sighted at Canberra airport, features a fully assembled powerplant from the firewall forward, together with an upgraded instrument package. The installation has been inspected by CASA engineers and certification is expected to be approved for Australian installation. Masling is offering a range of options starting with the Garrett engine installation kit (less engine) at approx $92,000 depending on the exchange rate, through to a complete strip and refurbishment of the customer’s aircraft with engine installation and respray. The latter would amount to a zero time aircraft for an approximate cost of $A400,000, about $A200,000 less than a new aircraft. Approximately 40 Thrushes operate in Australia, with the majority turbine powered, however the Garrett engine is claimed to be cheaper, simpler, more reliable, with better repair economics than any of its opposition. A significant selling point put forward by Ag Air Systems turboprop Project Manager, Mike Reightly, is the fixed shaft design of the Garrett engine which provides instant power and response, without the spool up lag of free turbine engines. The Masling brothers, Robert and Murray from the well known Masling aviation family, are actively marketing the Garrett/Thrush concept and hope to have a dual control demonstration aircraft ready in September for an extensive tour of the Eastern states.
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