Indholdsfortegnelse for November - December 2017 i Australian Flying

Airbus’s Perlan 2, the world’s first attempt to send an engineless aircraft to the edge of space, made history on September 3 by soaring to over 52,000 feet in the Patagonia region of Argentina, setting a new world altitude record for gliding. Chief pilot Jim Payne and co-pilot Morgan Sandercock conducted the flight from Comandante Armando Tola International Airport in El Calafate, surpassing the previous 50,727-foot world record set in the unpressurised Perlan I in 2006. The Airbus Perlan 2 is a pressurised glider designed to fly to altitudes of up to 100,000 feet, where the air density is less than 2% that of sea level. The aircraft has a gross weight of 818 kg and a wing span of 25.6 metres. The cabin is pressurised to 8.5 psi (14,500…

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has updated the design rules for light aircraft, which it believes will have a positive impact on encouraging manufacturers to adopt new designs, materials and construction methods. Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 23 governs the design of Normal, Utility, Aerobatic and Commuter aircraft and stems from the original Civil Aviation Regulation (CAR) 3, which was formulated in 1966. Consequently, FAR 23 has been deemed over prescriptive and outdated, making it more expensive for manufacturers to adopt new designs and technologies that could increase the safety of light aircraft. Aeroplanes such as the Cessna 172 series and the Piper Cherokee were all originally CAR 3 aircraft. The new FAR 23, which came into force in September, will free-up aircraft designers to make greater use of…

They could have meant the plane, or just visiting the country generally. But there was a high level of concern amongst the few with whom I’d discussed my impending research trip, I suspect fuelled by the niggling tales of negativity on the evening news. We seem to only hear the bad news on Russia. T But I’d experienced this before and found that regardless of what we may conceive about other countries and what arguments may exist between our governments, the real people in the towns, especially away from the big cities, just want to get on with their lives, look after their families, educate their kids and invariably are willing to reach out and help their fellow man. The remote regions of Russia I visited in May of 2017…

RECREATIONAL AVIATION AUSTRALIA In 2016-2017 Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus) membership grew by six percent. That’s an amazing result and demonstrative of the support RAAus enjoys within the sector. Subscriptions to our Sport Pilot magazine grew by a staggering 33%. RAAus’ digital foot print now sees more than 11,000 Facebook followers and some 23,000 digital news subscribers. In a word, we are maturing and people like what they are seeing. Like all things true maturity takes time and sometimes the pathway has obstacles. We are getting better at managing our way through obstacles and planning better to avoid them altogether. As RAAus Ltd. turns one, the significant maturation process from incorporate association to company occurred seamlessly with significant work going on in the background. The directors and I have been absolutely…

Appointed Chief Commissioner on 1 July 2016, I was humbled yet immensely proud to be given the opportunity to lead a world-class transport safety investigation agency. As the accountable authority, I am acutely aware that the ATSB’s primary function is to improve transport safety with priority given to delivering the best safety outcomes for the travelling public. Having worked at senior positions in other agencies within the transport portfolio for an extended period of time, I was also cognisant of the agency’s operational environment and the associated challenges. It was within this context that I determined the ATSB needed to be repositioned to face these challenges – through a well-considered and consulted change program. Over the past 12 months, the ATSB has undertaken a significant transformation designed to enable better…

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Australia (AOPA Australia) has launched a Tour Coach and Mobile Simulator Centre to boost its presence at air shows and fly-ins around Australia. The front section of the coach will be configured as a 30-seat transporter, with the back half dedicated to a digital flight studio containing X-Plane flight simulators. The studio will also double as an aviation education and multimedia centre. According to AOPA Australia CEO Ben Morgan, the new coach is part of a plan to bring the thrill of flight to young aspiring aviators. “I think all aircraft owners and pilots would agree that more needs to be done to encourage youth involvement in general aviation, if we are to see our industry revitalised,” he told Australian Flying. “Everywhere I…

The Australian Aviation Hall of Fame (AAHOF) has announced that five new members will be inducted this year, and that Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) is to be recognised with the 2017 Southern Cross Award for organisations. The five new members are: • Edward Connellan AO, CBE: highly respected NT aviator and businessman. Established the successful Connellan Airways in 1943. • John Corby: distinguished aviation engineer and designer of the Corby Starlet. • James Strong AO: highly-regarded CEO and board member of Qantas. Oversaw the successful merger of Australian Airlines (previously TAA) and Qantas. • Bob Tait: renowned aviation educator, pilot and publisher. • Nancy-Bird Walton AO, OBE: in 1934 the youngest woman to obtain a commercial licence in the British Empire and founder of the Australian Women Pilots’ Association. “These…

Ilook disdainfully at the metre-long esky on the deck, empty but for a couple of hessian sacks, and comment that there’s no way my massive catch is going to fit in THAT. This is, naturally, met with peals of laughter. Until about three minutes later. We’re gunna need a bigger boat I’m going to try really hard to make this story about flying. But seriously, it won’t be easy. The safari route we took through Arnhem Land, Kakadu and the Kimberley in June this year was heavily laced with water encounters and any astute fisherman knows the tropical waters up here are full of, let’s say, promise. We’re at Kimberley Coastal Camp (KCC) on the eastern edge of Admiralty Gulf. As the crow flies, it’s about half way between Darwin…

“ I don’t believe that Bankstown and Camden can continue to be as active in flight training or operational aircraft as they are now.” While the Federal Government celebrates finally gaining some traction on building Western Sydney Airport, operators at Bankstown and Camden are trying to discern the effects Badgerys Creek will have on flight training and instrument arrivals and departures at the secondary airports. Badgerys will effectively sit in the current Bankstown training area. And of the three models used for a Stage 2 assessment of the airport’s future airspace architecture requirements in the Western Sydney Airport Environmental Impact Statement, two include removal of instrument approaches and departures from Bankstown. The third applies to avoiding airspace conflicts between the three airports in Western Sydney Airport’s initial operations, although the…

SPORT AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA Brenton’s love of sailing was matched by his love of flying, however flying seemed to be beyond his reach. That changed on a working holiday in Perth in 1986 when he took flying lessons at Jandakot. When he was 13, Brenton saw a Spitfire in a magazine and decided then that he’d like to build his own aeroplane. It was an obvious choice to build an amphibian given all the water such as lakes and rivers around in Australia. The Volmer Amphibian VJ22 design will combine his two loves of flying and sailing. “An American, Volmer Jensen, designed this aeroplane in 1958. It is one of the few that are plans-built. You can just buy and build this without committing a lot of money upfront,”…

Aircraft Registration: ZS-DTK Date of Accident: 29 May 2008 Time of Accident: 0950Z Type of Aircraft: Piper PA23-250 Aztec Pilot licence: Private Licence Valid: Yes Age: 70 Total Flying Hours: 612.4 Hours on Type: Unknown Last point of departure: FAWB (Wonderboom Aerodrome) Pretoria Next point of intended landing: FASI (Springs Aerodrome) Johannesburg Location of the accident site: FAWB (Wonderboom) on the right hand side of Runway 29 Meteorological Information: Wind: 110º/05kts. Visibility: >10km. Temp: 19ºC. Cloud cover: Nil Number of people on board: 1+0 No. of people injured: 1 No. of people killed: 0 SYNOPSIS The pilot, who also owned a maintenance and overhaul facility, was ferrying the aircraft from Wonderboom Aerodrome to his workshop at Springs Aerodrome for overhauling when the accident happened. On take-off (just after getting airborne)…

1Autorotation decision led to safe forced landing: ATSB 2Key industry figures to speak at RAAA Convention 3VFR ADS-B Discussion Paper under preparation 4Final round of Remote Airstrip Funding opens for Submissions 5Departmental Secretary departs Infrastructure 6Revolutionary multi-surface LSA set for deliveries 7Airbus glider sets new altitude record 8FAA updates GA design regulations 9Airservices forecasts $59 million profit 10 BITRE GA Study Report not yet ready SIGN UP TO KEEP UP! The Australian Flying website is updated daily with the latest GA news stories. Visit us online now at www.australianflying.com.au to also check out our free classifieds section, photo and video galleries, blogs, flying tips articles and comprehensive Warbird coverage. And be sure to register for our FREE weekly electronic newsletter, which delivers the latest news FREE to your inbox every…

Italian aircraft manufacturer Piaggio Aerospace, maker of the P.180 Avanti EVO turboprop pusher twin, has appointed Perth’s Airflite as its exclusive sales representative for Australia and New Zealand Piaggio sees the Avanti EVO as the ideal aircraft for a wide range of missions in the region, offering the speed and comfort of a mid-sized jet (including a stand-up cabin), with the operating costs and airfield capability of a twin turboprop. “Its versatility is a significant attraction for the market, as Avanti EVO can be utilised for corporate or special mission applications including specialised aeromedical operations,” said Airflite general manager Kristian Constantinides. Renato Vaghi, chief executive officer of Piaggio Aerospace, said: “The Avanti EVO aircraft corresponds perfectly with Australian and New Zealand market requirements of efficiency and speed, as well as…

General aviation, perhaps more now than ever, could use an avenue for showing its exciting, enthralling face to the public at large. With participation rates down, costs going the other way and crashes on the TV news the only stories that seep out of GA, our passion needs some serious marketing. Our main weapon should be air shows. They are colourful, action-packed and have an impact on people that leaves them wide-eyed, but the smattering of air shows that dot the country can’t bear the load; we need more of them, but something seems to be holding them back, and that something is regulation. CASA’s rules have a dampening effect on air shows, either through active restrictions on display conditions, or simply by making the approval process so hard that…

T ablet applications have revolutionised general aviation cockpits in the past 10 years or so. The versatility of the iPad and Android tablets and phones has brought new capability and enabled pilots to do critical calculations faster and with less finger work. Whiz wheels and protractors are quickly becoming museum equipment for private pilots as apps do the necessary flight plans and in-flight calculations in a fraction of the time. But even so, these devices have their critics because pilots can become reliant on them to the detriment of their basic flying skills, and they can draw heads into the cockpit at times when they should be outside. It’s a valid argument, but one that is perhaps generated from a lack of understanding and a deficiency in proper training. And…

Brisbane-based Sikorsky Australia has won a $63 million contract to overhaul and re-purpose 10 ex- US military Black Hawk helicopters for firebombing and disaster relief operations around Australia and New Zealand. The deal was signed in late July by Sikorsky, Kaan Air Australia, and StarFlight Australia. The first of the surplus UH-60As will arrive in Australia early next year. Sikorsky has a formal contract with the US Army Utility Helicopter Project Office allowing it to select the most suitable aircraft for refurbishment. The first two helicopters are currently being overhauled in Huntsville Alabama, allowing Sikorsky Australia to carry out work scope and benchmarking for the Australian operation. The remainder will be completed at the company’s Pinkenba facility, near Brisbane airport. After arrival the helicopters will undergo a three month rework,…

CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY Changing the way an organisation works and behaves is not something that happens overnight. In fact, depending on the depth and complexity of the change being implemented, it can take years. Policies and procedures can be rewritten relatively quickly, but modifying the way people think and act takes time as change literally seeps across and through an organisation. Yet for the people who have dealings with an organisation which is undertaking change, and who are affected by the outcomes of change, the appetite for waiting for promised improvements is naturally small. In this day and age in particular we all have an expectation that things will happen quickly and we will get the results we want, when we want them. None of this is an excuse…