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AVnews -- 2008
ATC merger stalls
The Australian reports that a plan to merge military and civilian air traffic control operations nationally, which is claimed to offer $300 million in savings, has stalled.
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Mid-air collision at Moorabbin
A mid-air collision between a Cessna 150 and Piper Warrior resulted in the student pilot in the Cessna suffering a fatal crash. The Warrior landed safely, despite reports that it had a severely damaged stabilator.
Both aircraft were owned by the Royal Victorian Aero Club and it’s believed the Cessna pilot was an international student on his first solo.
Report from The Age
Boeing slashes & moves Melbourne jobs
Aircraft maker Boeing will slash up to 500 jobs from its Melbourne plant at Fishermen's Bend within two years.
More at the ABC
Air traffic controller shortage worsens 26 August
The shortage of air traffic controllers is in the news again.
From the Sydney Morning Herald: They were recruited to address Australia's critical shortage of air traffic controllers, but the latest crop of trainees at the Airservices Australia learning academy are effectively twiddling their thumbs because there are not enough instructors to teach them, academy sources and the air traffic controllers union say.
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From The Australian: The air force does not have enough air traffic controllers to monitor all its planes and has pleaded with staff not to quit for better-paid civilian jobs.
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New helicopter round-world record 19 August
American pilots Scott Kasprowicz and Steve Sheik are claiming a new round the world record for helicopters, after returning to La Guardia airport in New York at the end of a 11 day, seven hour and one minute journey. The record claim is being submitted to the National Aeronautical Association for certification.
The 23,000nm trip was undertaken in an Agusta Westland 109 Grand and took considerably less than the expected 14 days.
The trip has a pretty good website, located here. This was a 12-year-old record, set at a little over 17 days in 1996 by Ron Bower and John Williams flying a Bell 430.
Agusta Westland link
Big teeth for FAA
It seems the FAA in the US has much bigger teeth than our equivalent, CASA.
Newsday reports: Southwest Airlines Co must pay a proposed $10.2-million fine by 29 August or the matter of not grounding planes that missed safety inspections will be referred to the US Attorney's office, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
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Airlines fight auction
Meanwhile US air;lines are taking the FAA to court.
RedOrbit reports: The Air Transport Association, the trade group representing the nation's airlines, has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Aviation Administration in an effort to halt the agency's proposed auction of slots at congested US airports.
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New non-EU agency to form?
Non-European countries such as Turkey and Ukrain areb having second thoughts about handing over air safety administration to a central European Aviation Safety Agency. Instead, there is talk of setting up an off-shoot group for non EU interests.
See this story on Today’s Zaman
Redefining “the hanger”
A 65-year-old German pilot and his 63-year-old wife found themselves hanging upside down from high-tension power lines in their light aircraft, holding on by nothing more than a wheel strut. They were eventually rescued by crane – an exercise which took some hours.
See this report at the Telegraph
History watch
1903 - Karl Jatho (1873 -1933) makes a flight of just over18 metres feet with his motorized aircraft over the Vahrenwalder Heide near Hannover, in front of four people. But just as with Gustave Whitehead and Richard Pearse, his flight is considered non-controlled. Basically a powered glider, it used a single-cylinder 10 hp Buchet engine driving a two-bladed pusher propeller.
Source: IFALPA newsletter
E-flight expo for Aero Friedrichshafen 18 August
Europe’s biggest GA and amateur-built expo, Aero Friedrichshafen, will boast a new feature in 2009 – namely an E-flight expo. As the name suggests, it will concentrate on electric power, both for aircraft and better ways to use it and generate if in and from your hanger.
In addition, the organizers say they will be running a major conference alongside the event, with some interesting guest speakers.
See this link
Flying through glass ceilings
The Age: Shelley Roberts is used to smashing through glass ceilings. Last month the 33-year-old took on the role of Tiger Airways Australia's managing director, becoming arguably the most powerful female in Australian aviation.
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Turkish helicopter to fly in 2010
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) will start ground and flight tests of first Turkish light commercial helicopters in 2010.
Turkish Armed Forces Strengthening Foundation, Undersecretariat for Defense Industries, and Turkish Aeronautical Association are the main shareholders of TAI.
The Light Commercial Helicopter Research Development and Application Project between TAI and Istanbul Technical University has been continuing since 2002.
TAI
NASA rewards GA
NASA awarded a total of $97,000 in prizes at the 2008 General Aviation Technology Challenge. The challenge asked competitors to demonstrate innovations that would lead to aircraft that are safer, more affordable, easier to fly and also have less of a negative impact on the environment and on the communities that surround airports.
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History watch
1953 - The sound barrier is broken for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere.
Test pilot Flight Lieutenant Bill Scott, RAAF, achieved the distinction as he dived from 42,000 feet to 20,000 feet over Avalon, Victoria in the first Australian built Sabre, the CA-26, serial number A94-101. The production version was the CA-27.
Source: IFALPA
Qantas in strife over maintenance 15 August
Ben Sandilands at Crikey.com.au: “The special audit of Qantas by CASA is ‘not looking pretty’ according to information passed to Crikey.
“Several CASA sources have made the same points. Every metric in relation to Qantas maintenance performance shows a downward trend, and there is clear evidence that maintenance action has been deferred to save costs.”
Qantas has been hit with a string of incidents, perhaps the most worrying of which is the discovery that crucial maintenance on six 737-400s, required by an airworthiness directive and designed to prevent a break-up of the fuselage, had not been carried out.
See this link
Piper sales holding up 14 August
Piper Aircraft says it has not suffered the same drop in piston aircraft sales as the rest of the industry (see our GAMA report, below), although it should be admitted that’s off a relatively small sales base.
The company is doing particularly well with its Malbu Matrix, an non-pressurised version of the PA46 Mirage that sells for around US$760,000 and seems to have found a niche of its own.
It represents over half of the company’s deliveries, with 48 of the 350hp aircraft finding new owners by the start of July.
Piper Aircraft
Crap policy equals crap results 13 August
Is it too much to ask that we stop the cost-recovery culture and look at what aviation has to offer? Guy Allen says no… (link)
Red Bull heads to Perth
The spectacular international Red Bull Air Race series heads to Perth on 1-2 November.
See this link
Super Spud
A wonderful video showing the Lockheed Martin P-791 aero balloon in action.
Vid link
RC helicopter madness
If only this were possible with the real thing…
Vid link
UR OK 2 land :-)
A UK pilot ended up landing his Piper Seneca at Cork airport with the aid of text messages from the air traffic controller, according to a recent report into the incident. Evidently much of the aircraft electrics went to lunch during a flight to Jersey last November.
The pilot made contact with Cork tower by mobile phone, but the connection dropped out. A quick-thinking controller sent a text message saying he had the pilot on radar and that he was clear to land.
The aircraft did a quick flypast to have the undercarriage checked and made a safe touchdown.
Published by the Air Accident Investigation Branch, the report said, "In this incident the positive and proactive initiative of the ATC controller, who, on realising that mobile audio communication from the pilot was intermittent, quickly switched to texting his instructions instead."
Major issues facing GA
The federal government has just released a report outlining the major issues facing general aviation in Australia.
In his forward, Dr Roland Williams, who chaired the inquiry, says:
Our consultations identified four major themes as recurring issues in the General Aviation industry. The first of these was the challenge posed by secondary airport privatisation in the early 1990s. This situation remains uncomfortably new for many operators and relationships between tenants and airport operators are at times neither constructive nor conducive to their mutual interests.
The second was skills. Australians justly command high regard in the aviation world but the boom in commercial airline activity over the past few years has created shortages of pilots and aircraft engineers. In Australia, small businesses in particular are struggling to recruit and retain skilled personnel.
The third was regulation. Aviation is, by its nature and consistent with community expectations, highly regulated. Safety is not negotiable. Achieving the high levels of safety rightly expected of the industry whilenot imposing unnecessary costs is an ongoing challenge.
And finally, the General Aviation aircraft fleet is ageing. On average, small piston-engine aircraft in the Australian fleet are around thirty years old. Wholesale modernisation of the fleet over the next ten years is a compelling need to break an ageing continuum. Many businesses see the cost of this as prohibitive.
See this link for the full report (PDF)
Boeing predicts strong freight growth
Boeing projects that the global air cargo market will continue to exhibit strong, long-term growth, according to the company's Current Market Outlook 2008.
During the 20-year forecast period, Boeing projects that the industry will grow at an annualized average of 5.8 percent with the world freighter fleet increasing from 1948 to 3892 airplanes.
This growth requires a total of 3358 airplanes joining the freighter fleet by 2027, taking into account anticipated airplane retirements of 1414 airplanes, according to the annual Outlook, which was released prior to the 2008 Farnborough Air Show.
The fleet additions will include 863 new production freighters, with a value of about $206 billion in current US dollars, and 2495 airplanes from conversions.
Widebody freighters will dominate the new production freighter total and 641 will be of the large freighter segment (more than 80 tons (72.6 tonnes) capacity).
Demand for new production equipment is driven by operational efficiency and reliability, as well as environmental and regulatory pressures, including noise, emissions and aging.
"The forecast is based on a number of factors, most significantly economic growth in diverse areas of the world," said Jim Edgar, regional director, Cargo Marketing for Asia.
"Over the long-term, global economic growth will drive demand for new, high-value products as well as seasonal perishables that people have become accustomed to enjoying."
More than 60 percent of the fleet additions will be in the widebody category (medium widebody) -- with payloads of 40 to 80 tons (36.3 to 72.6 tonnes) -- plus large freighters, increasing their share from 61 percent of the current fleet to 65 percent of the 2027 fleet.
Consequently, there will be an increase in overall average freighter airplane payload, consistent with prior years' forecasts.
More; Summary Outlook report (PDF)
Hummingbird project expands
Boeing plans to expand its work with the unmanned A160T Hummingbird helicopter at Southern California Logistics Airport, which set a world record for endurance earlier this year. (Ed's note: The record was 8 hours with a 450kg payload - see October 2 on this page.)
More at Daily Press
Speaking of Boeing…
The company runs an interesting blog, giving an insight into some of the background goings-on in the organisation.
It’s worth a look at this link.
A different approach
Australian mag Helinews has looked in depth at the recently-released report into the Blackhawk crash on the HMAS.
Click here to see the online editorial
University course for pilots who never fly
The University of North Dakota (UND) in the USA has recently signed up to establish a specialist unmanned aircraft pilot training centre in partnership with the military.
It’s expected to turn out a new generation of pilots for unmanned aircraft, who may never have flown an aircraft themselves.
Up till now, UAV pilots typically were experienced with the real thing and rotated duty between unmanned and piloted versions.
The announcement of the US$50 million centre says, in part: Under this contract, the UAS Center will be training instructor pilots for the Air Force, and UND will also provide software and training management programs for the Air Force’s unmanned aerial systems. UND is partnering with the private sector, and also with the Air Force and the North Dakota Air National Guard.
“In addition to training Air Force instructor pilots, we believe that the UAS Center of Excellence at UND’s Odegard School will be the only university-based UAS training program in the country,” Hoeven said. “We also believe the UAS Center at UND can help Grand Forks Air Force Base build their UAS mission.”
Full announcement
Big two face parts delay
Wall Street Journal via OAG: Airbus and Boeing Co. have both struggled with complex technology and assembly issues that have delayed ambitious new jet models. Now the manufacturing rivals face a more basic problem with the production of their existing planes: a shortage of less-advanced equipment such as seats, toilets and galleys that is slowing down their assembly lines.
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FIRST SIX MONTHS SHIPMENTS OF AIRPLANES MANUFACTURED WORLDWIDE |
|
|
|
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|
2007 |
2008 |
CHANGE |
Pistons |
1,226 |
1,034 |
-15.7% |
Turboprops |
186 |
222 |
+19.4% |
Business Jets |
476 |
663 |
+39.3% |
Total Shipments |
1,888 |
1,919 |
+1.6% |
Total Billings |
$9.8B |
$12.1B |
+24.1% |
GA piston orders down, light jets up
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) of the USA recently announced second quarter shipment and billings figures. Industry billings continue at a record-setting pace totaling $12.1 billion, a 24.1 percent increase in the first half of 2008.
"Shipments in the business jet and turboprop segments continue to rise steadily,” said GAMA President and CEO, Pete Bunce. “Expanding worldwide markets are having a very positive affect on the turbine segments of our industry.”
“Although total shipments in the piston segment are down for the first half of 2008, we believe recent success of the world’s premier general aviation show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin is a good indicator of sustained enthusiasm for the light end of the market,” said Bunce. “The Experimental Aircraft Association reported that attendance at last week’s AirVenture held steady. Despite uncertainty with fuel prices and strength of the North American economy, the energy surrounding the entire spectrum of general aviation remains robust. Our piston manufacturers continue to generate excitement through new product introductions that incorporate innovative technologies and are paying increased attention to growth opportunities in the international market.”
Piston-powered airplane shipments totaled 1034 units compared to 1226 units delivered in the first half of 2007, a 15.7 percent decrease. Turboprop shipments increased from 186 units in the first half last year to 222 units in 2008. Business jet shipments totaled 663 units in the first half of 2008, a 39.3 percent increase over the 476 units delivered in the second quarter of 2007.
GAMA web
Global passenger capacity drops
The world’s airlines will offer 59.7 million fewer seats in the 4th quarter of 2008 than they did a year ago, according to OAG (Official Airline Guide) in its 10 year view of the global aviation industry.
The latest figures from OAG's consolidated database reveal a 7% drop both in the number of flights and in seat capacity for October, November and December 2008 compared with the same time last year. The U.S. domestic market will account for just under 20 million of that figure, or 33% of the global decline in capacity, in what could potentially be the most widespread crisis to hit the aviation industry in recent memory
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United to cancel Airbus orders
Globe & Mail: United Airlines may cancel an order for 42 Airbus aircraft, forfeiting a US$91-million deposit and possibly heralding a wave of deferrals and cancellations for the major plane makers as their customers scale back growth plans.
The airline, one of Airbus' best US customers, is currently committed to pay US$2.2-billion for the purchase of 42 A319 and A320 single-aisle aircraft.
It is “highly unlikely that (UAL) will take future delivery of these aircraft,” UAL said in a 24 July filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Ultimate fly/ride program
A USA firm has developed a combination of underslung cargo pod and fold-up motorcycle for owners of single-engine aircraft.
Called the Motopod, it combines a detachable cargo pod with a lightly modified Yamaha trail bike to enable pilots to get about once they land.
The makers claims the bike can be liberated in a few minutes.
It appears to be a lightly modified 225cc Yamaha, with folding handlebars, and it looks as though the idea would easily transfer to any similar model.
See this link
PiperJet takes to the air 4 August
Hundreds of Piper employees lined up at Vero Beach airport in the USA recently to watch the take-off of their new ‘baby’, the PiperJet.
The aircraft flew for one hour, reaching a maximum altitude of 10,000 feet and a speed of 160 KTAS as per the flight test plan.
Piper Test Pilots Dave Schwartz and Buddy Sessoms were at the controls.
“The PiperJet exhibited excellent control response around all three axes," said Schwartz.
"The ergonomics and the basic operation of the side stick control were excellent, with well-balanced and harmonized control inputs required for the air speeds that we tested. Moreover, the expected level of pitch trim change with power applications was minimal and easy to overcome."
It is powered by a single Williams FJ44-3AP engine rated at 3000 pounds of thrust but de-rated to 2400 in this application, and controlled by a FADEC system.
This is the first turbofan design in the company’s 71-year history.
"With this major milestone in the PiperJet's development, we are witnessing our future one that is built on a strong and lasting heritage and reputation for innovation and excellence,"said Piper president Jim Bass.
Piper Jet web
Qantas to be investigated
Herald-Sun: Australia’s aviation watchdog will launch an investigation into Qantas safety and maintenance operations following three mid-air emergencies on its jets in less than 10 days.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has formed a special team to examine issues such as maintenance, safety systems and the way Qantas handled the recent incidents.
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‘Rogue’ powerline tripped helicopter – inquest
Parkes Champion Post: Three people, including two Parkes Shire workers, were killed when their helicopter struck what was described in evidence as a ‘rogue’ overhead power line, an inquest into their deaths found in Forbes on Friday.
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CASA news
Win for training industry
CASA has responded to aviation industry concerns about an inconsistency in the experience requirements for chief flying instructors. At issue was the number of hours a flying instructor needed to qualify as a chief flying instructor to oversee commercial pilot licence training. This had been set at 500 hours of commercial experience other than flying training, but has now been amended to 250 hours. It brings the requirement into line with both instrument flight rules and instructor rating training, which require 250 hours. The previous requirement had caused a number of flying schools difficulties and representations were made to CASA asking for a review.
Find out more about flying training.
Helicopter operators help develop new rules
Helicopter operators are working with CASA to develop the new Part 133 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations. A meeting was held in late July on the Sunshine Coast to look at a range of detailed operational issues relating to Part 133, which will consolidate and modernise into one Part most of the regulatory requirements covering helicopter operations. The Sunshine Coast was chosen as the venue for the meeting because of its flourishing aviation community, with significant helicopter operations. A variety of helicopter operators took part in the two-day meeting. Chief pilots and senior personnel represented offshore oil exploration support, emergency services, search and rescue, media and general passenger operations.
Find out more about Part 133.
CASA focuses on engineering
CASA has clarified its focus on the safety of engineering and manufacturing operations. A separate group has been set up within CASA to cover engineering and related activities – known as the Airworthiness Engineering Group. This new group stands beside the Air Transport Operations Group and the General Aviation Operations Group, which deliver the core of CASA’s operational activities. Previously airworthiness engineering was a sub-set within these other operational groups.
Find CASA’s new structure here.
Advice to keep aerodrome pavements tip-top
New guidance material for aerodrome operators is being developed by CASA, covering the strength of movement area pavements. This is important as aircraft overload can shorten the lifespan of pavement and damage structural integrity. Aerodromes operating under Civil Aviation Safety Regulations Part 139 are required to have movement area pavements that can safely support aircraft. However, there are currently no standards for design and maintenance of pavements, although pavement strengths have to be reported.
Find out more about the aerodrome pavement project.
Win a LAME scholarship
CASA is again offering scholarships for people training to become licensed aircraft maintenance engineers. Eight scholarships will be presented by CASA to apprentice LAMEs working in the aviation maintenance and repair industry in Australia - one for each Australian State. Winners will receive $1,000 for each of the first two years of their apprenticeship. The Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association assists with selections and provides extra funding to the recipients. The scheme has been running since 2003 to encourage and promote the importance of the engineering maintenance sector.
Find out more about the LAME scholarship and get the application form.
Help for teaching human factors
Guidance on the practical training and assessment of pilots in human factors skills and threat and error management is being developed by CASA. This follows changes to the Day visual flight rules syllabus that now requires training and assessment in these key areas. From 1 July 2009 pilots will be assessed in flight tests on both human factors and threat and error management.
Find out more about the project.
Check your GPS
Owners and operators of aircraft with certain models of Trimble and FreeFlight GPS receivers have been advised they must upgrade both the hardware and software of the instruments. Some models will have their approval revoked later this year.
Find out more about the upgrade.
Find out more about models that cannot be upgraded.
B58 wing spar corrosion
Operators and maintainers of Hawker Beechcraft B58 aircraft are being warned about the possibility of major corrosion in the wing spars. The corrosion cannot be seen from an external inspection. Two cases of the corrosion have been found, with one identified just before the required spar and angle change at 16,000 time in service. Damage was so bad in this case that the aircraft had to be withdrawn from service. CASA recommends internal and external inspections of the wings and spars be done as soon as possible, with any corrosion treated according to the manufacturer’s instructions without delay. This process should be repeated at each periodic inspection. Any corrosion should be reported to CASA through the Service Difficulty Report system.
Read the airworthiness bulletin.
Fee for getting historical data
CASA has introduced fees for providing information about the past history of aircraft registrations. The charges do not apply to current aircraft registrations, applications for registration and questions about registration processes.
Find out more about aircraft registration.
Engineer training heads to TAFE
Australia’s new internationally recognised training for apprentice aircraft engineers has moved into the TAFE system.
The South Western Sydney Institute is the first Australian TAFE to receive approval to operate under the new maintenance engineering training standards.
The new training standards are closely aligned with best-practice European standards.
CASA introduced the maintenance training and licensing standards in 2007 to allow the aviation industry the opportunity to become more competitive in the international aviation market.
Maintenance training organisations have the choice of continuing to operate under the existing standards or can move to the new standards by complying with the requirements of Civil Aviation Order 100.66.
The new maintenance training and licensing standards are primarily aimed at large aircraft maintenance organisations.
CASA chief executive officer, Bruce Byron, says the approval given to TAFE NSW is a significant step forward for the Australian aviation industry, which can now access a wider choice of training providers.
“The increasing adoption of these new aircraft maintenance licensing and training standards is helping the Australian maintenance industry become more competitive internationally and also opens up business opportunities for a range of organisations,” Mr Byron says.
“Organisations like NSW TAFE will see greater demand for their training as airlines move to introduce new technology aircraft and train their workforces to meet changing demands.”
CASA
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