AirCentre Aviation News Digest - April 2004, Week Four

Week Four
2004

ATSB Report on Virgin Jet and Light Aircraft Challenged
Dick Smith Finds "No Fault" Unacceptable on TCAS Activation

OZ Government Issues Media Release on New Airspace Reform
A Media release from the OZ Government says it's satisfied with the new airspace progress and will continue with the implementation of the National Airspace System (NAS) reform program "Air traffic controllers - pilots and aviation safety investigators - are considered among the best in the world and dedicated to ensuring our skies are among the safest in the world"	"In the same context it is unfortunate that Civil Air (the union representing air traffic controllers) persists with an inaccurate industrial and political campaign" An ATSB report "has shown that the number of incidents (as measured through TCAS resolution advisory alerts) has not increased since the introduction of stage 2b of the NAS which began in November last year"
Media Release Dated April 29, 2004 Number A48/2004 - Full Details HERE

Dick Smith Challenges ATSB Report

April 24
Dick Smith has commented in the media about the recent so called "near miss" reported by the air controllers union wherein a Virgin jet had to take action over Maleny last week to avoid a light aircraft

"I was wrong in initially blaming the controller ...the bureau (ATSB) is covering things up when it claims that everyone complied with the rules"

The initial News Desk report is HERE
The light aircraft concerned is a turbine powered home-built pressurised high performance 4 seat Lancair - to view a previous report on this machine click HERE

Media:- The Courier-Mail April 24, 2004; P19

German Tornado's Collide Killing 2

April 22
Two German Air Force Tornado jets belonging to the 51 Immelmann reconnaissance squadron based in Jagel collided in mid-air above the St Peter-Ording beach resort on the North Sea

"The fighters collided while negotiating a curve as part of a formation at an altitude of 5000 metres killing two of the four persons on board"

The 2 surviving crew ejected to safety immediately after the collision with the aircraft wreckage falling onto a farm

Media:- Local TV and The Courier-Mail

Boeing 727 '~~Mile~~ Zero High Club'

April 26
In Mexico an enterprising business person has taken an out-of-time Boeing 727 passenger jet and converted into a travelling night-club capable of accommodating up to 50 patrons who can enjoy themselves while travelling at up to 200 kilometres an hour at ground level instead of the usual 30,000' up in the sky

"Passengers can boogie on a dance floor - make a pit stop at a bar - or retire to a 'romantic' space in the back of the aircraft"

The interior is decked with neon strobe lights audio and video systems

Media:- ABC

Gyrocopter in World Flight Attempt

April 26
A military helicopter pilot in the UK likes flying rotary wing machines so much that he has decided to fly around the world solo in a 2 seat Magni Gyro with its free-wheeling rotor and open cockpit

"My biggest fear is the engine failing at the wrong place, ..if that happens over the sea we would loose the aircraft"

The fundraising flight will take the 37 yo pilot - Barry Jones - across the northern hemisphere and is expected to take almost 4 months

Media:- Local TV and Global Eagle

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