Innholdsfortegnelse for March - April 2017 i Australian Flying

The Australian Aviation Associations Forum (TAAAF) wrote to Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester in December calling for the government to engage with the industry to develop a national aviation policy. TAAAF members issued a statement that expressed disappointment in the Turnbull government's reaction to the TAAAF policy paper released in April last year, pointing out that actions taken by the government since fall well short of what the forum says is needed. "Forum participants met in Canberra last week and have again highlighted the value of Government creating a new partnership with industry, as outlined in the Forum’s 2016 aviation policy," the statement says. "While welcoming recent wins for common sense, the Minister’s response to TAAAF policies is disappointing given the years of policy neglect of the aviation…

It wasn’t really the fact that my head was deep inside the jaws of a great white shark, it was more that no one was paying the slightest bit of attention. But that’s the way it is in South Oz. They breed ‘em tough down there, and whatever the wild Southern Ocean dishes up, you deal with it or reconsider stopping. The coastal town of Streaky Bay at the western gateway of the Eyre Peninsula is usually a sleepy little postcard destination. But as we make our way towards the hotel reception on arrival, we see that the locals are decidedly not so sleepy today. While you’re on safari, it’s easy to sometimes forget the date. Who cares anyway? It’s Tuesday, that’ll do. But this particular Tuesday is the first…

When I was invited to fly a new European designed entrant into the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category, I initially expected to see an aircraft similar to many other European designs that all looked like a derivative of the Bristell or Piper Sport: low wing, tricycle undercarriage with a bubble sliding canopy made from metal or composite materials. To my surprise I found an aircraft that looked like a Cessna 182 right down to the curved fillet on the leading edge of the fin! From a distance as I drove around the end of a road/taxiway on the airfield at Serpentine south of Perth, I could have easily been fooled that I was looking at a conventional Cessna; high wing on a tricycle undercarriage with spats and sitting ever so…

L ight sports aircraft (LSAs) lightweight, not too fast cruise or stall, easy to fly, single-engine, two-seat Worldwide there are up models available (depending the definition used). In particularly, there are multiple brands flying, with eastern Europe a strong manufacturing base for many aircraft. In April 2009, Cirrus Aircraft suspended, then abandoned, a Polish design LSA called the SRS. Around the same time, two of the world’s most experienced and trusted general aviation (GA) companies, Cessna and Piper, invested time, money and corporate reputation in LSAs. Both, figuratively speaking, crashed and burned, causing embarrassment, loss of face with loyal customers, and medium- to long-term brand damage. Why did these two big players fail? What role did the “Three Ps of Marketing”: product, placement and price; or in aviation speak, plane,…

Erickson files for Chapter 11 Relief Following its acquisitions of Evergreen Helicopters and Air Amazonia in 2013 and a downturn in the global helicopter industry, Oregon-based Erickson Incorporated filed for Chapter 11 protection with the United States Bankruptcy Court in early November. Industry speculation had been rife after the company failed to release quarterly results. Erickson has indicated that following the implementation of a reorganisation plan, which includes a major fleet rationalisation, they intend to exit bankruptcy in 2017. Erickson currently operates a mixed fleet of 86 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. “Erickson is not immune to the numerous business challenges currently facing the helicopter industry which have placed downward pressure on operating results and asset values,” Chief Financial Officer, David Lancelot said. Importantly, the Court granted motions which allow Erickson…

Only by industry, government at all levels, and the community continuing to work together will regional and remote communities prosper through viable airline services. The Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) provides wide representation for the regional aviation industry by direct advocacy with ministers and senior officials through parliamentary submissions, personal contact and by active participation in a number of consultative forums. it can spark the beginning of new friendships and is a highlight to many members RAAA members operate in all states and territories and is the only organisation representing all sectors associated with regional aviation in Australia, including operators of airlines, charter, aeromedical, airfreight, flying schools, regional airports, fuel suppliers and maintenance and support companies. The regional aviation industry is heavily reliant on many city-based organisations who provide…

Following the success of the first Out-n-Back series, CASA has released Series II of the popular online video episodes. If you haven’t had much experience flying around regional Australia, this is a great place to get some tips. In Out-n-Back II, popular TV travel presenter Pete Wells finds out first hand what’s involved with planning an outback air safari, learning the ropes from experienced instructor Catherine Fitzsimons. The series follows the flight of their Cessna 172 and a very capable GA8 Airvan on an epic 6000 km flight through some of Queensland’s most isolated locations. Along the way, in-depth interviews deliver tips and advice from local experts on keeping you safe and legal in unfamiliar territory. Written safety topics accompany each episode and incredible footage puts you squarely in the…

T wenty-five years ago, the Australian International Airshow established itself at Avalon Airport outside Geelong. It was the ideal mating: a large airport with plenty of hard stand and space around it, close to two major population centres and a freeway running right past the door. Putting aside the abysmal traffic problems in the first few years, Avalon looked to be the perfect home for one of the largest air shows in the Southern Hemisphere. That was 1992; the intervening years has seen transformed from an almost forgotten defence base to the name most synonymous with showcasing Australia's aviation capability to the world. With the standards now well established, it seems Avalon 2017 is set to continue the tradition. Headliners After a brief time away, the roaring Southern Knights return…

C Jabiru's J-160 and Cessna's C152 have always been known to be very closely matched in performance and capability. So, in a head-to-head evaluation, which one would come out on top? Steve Hitchen recruited two flying schools to settle the matter in the air. essna's magnificent C150 and 152 were long regarded as amongst the best two-seat general aviation trainers ever built. Strong, forgiving and stable, they have proven the ideal platform for launching aviation careers over many decades. But in later years their title of Premier Pilot Maker has been challenged by the myriad of twoseat recreational and Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) that are cheaper to operate and maintain, and the recreational concept is often hawked with the catchphrase "better than a Cessna 150." However, no-one has yet been…

“It is hard to find even a point from which to make a start; for nothing about a propeller, or the medium in which it acts, stands still for a moment. The thrust depends upon the speed and the angle at which the blade strikes the air; the angle at which the blade strikes the air depends upon the speed at which the propeller is turning, the speed the machine is traveling forward, and the speed at which the air is slipping backward; the slip of the air backward depends upon the thrust exerted by the propeller, and the amount of air acted upon. When any of these changes, it changes all the rest, as they are all interdependent upon one another.” – Orville Wright With one simple paragraph, this aviation pioneer…

Many years ago, two young wannabe aeronautical engineers dreamed of building and flying their own aircraft. They shared the trials, tribulations and frustrations of building an aircraft through phone calls, internet and reciprocal visits. One was in Melbourne and the other in western NSW. They had the usual commentary from self-appointed experts: “You’re building a what?” “You’ll never finish it” “That will never fly” “You’d never get me in that thing”. Well they certainly got that last statement correct as they were not going to be permitted to get inside our dream. Construction was progressing and registration marks were reserved. VH-NEZ for the Melbourne starlet and VH-NSG for the western NSW starlet. But it was the paint and colours that proved challenging. Both were looking for artistic inspiration that would…

Discussion Paper explores New Medical System The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) published a discussion paper (DP) last December on the future of medical certification standards. Coming after moves by regulators in the UK and USA to relax standards, and representations to CASA from the Sport Aircraft Association of Australia (SAAA) and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the DP explores possible changes to the current regime of medical examinations. Currently, private pilots in Australia need to have an examination done by a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME). Aviation medicine is complex," Acting CASA CEO Shane Carmody says in the DP introduction, "involving medical, regulatory and legal considerations. Mindful of this complexity, we have decided that a wideranging discussion paper is the best way to canvass community views about…

Geoscience Australia will lead a nation-wide trial of a Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) starting early 2017. SBAS uses both satellites and ground stations to improve the accuracy and integrity of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) such as the Global Positioning System (GPS). The two-year project is expected to cost $12 million. Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the program could test the potential of SBAS technology for aviation, sea, rail and road transport. “The future use of SBAS technology was strongly supported by the aviation industry to assist in high accuracy GPS-dependent aircraft navigation," Chester said. “Positioning data can also be used in a range of other transport applications including maritime navigation, automated train management systems and in the future, driverless and connected cars.” Australia's GNSS accuracy…

Glancing around the Clare Valley Aerodrome 14 km north of Clare township brings to mind a movie: Field of Dreams, where a farmer hears an echoing voice that drives him to transform a corn field into a baseball diamond. Just as Ray Kinsella had to overcome odds and obstacles to build his diamond, so too did one group who built a private airfield at a time when so many others are closing down. Behind the scenes of every successful project stands an individual who is often the catalyst and visionary. In this instance it was Adrian Smith. Adrian was involved with the local privately-owned Farrell Flat paddock strip when in 2009 he realised that the longevity of airfield operations was in jeopardy as the lease span was limited since the…

Everyone probably has their own personal curse; something about them that keeps coming back time after time to dog their world. Mine is small hands that lack natural deftness, resulting in Hall-of-Fame level clumsiness. It is never more obvious than when I have to carry stuff out to the aeroplane. On arrival at the flying school I'd already be juggling my kneeboard, headset, wallet, phone, two sets of glasses, jacket and car keys, only to have the nice young lady behind the counter hand me the aircraft book and keys. I'm loaded, there's 50 metres to the aeroplane and my klutzy hands have to step up to the plate. And all I want to do is an hour of circuits ... there had to be an easier way! It seems…

In October 2015 RAAus made a fundamental shift in how we communicated and engaged with members. We launched our member’s portal, new website and occurrence management system (OMS). Internally, we also launched a new customer relationship and aircraft management system. Prior to that, Sport Pilot magazine began being offered in two formats, with July 2015 seeing the first ever digital copy offered to members. We’ve since digitised every edition, so why not go back and read them online? In July 2016 we launched our learning management system, in October 2016 our knowledge base and in January 2017 we re-launched our classifieds advertising service. That’s a lot of bytes! As CEO it’s vitally important to me to gauge whether or not these services are giving members what they want. One way…