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Aviation History
1968
1968 - 0085.PDF
international, 18 January 1968 87 '•eothering one for the benefit of the camera of Howard Levy—who also took the picture on the right— s the Swearingen Merlin IIA, a type now rolling off the production line at the rate of three a month, vith four a month planned for the spring. Recent design improvements include a gross weight ncreased from 9,3001b to 9,8001b, and cabin pressure up from 5.S to 7.0lb/sq in. Detail is shown 'right) of the flaps, with fuel dump valve outlet visible forward of the flap. Current Merlins are lowered by the P&W PT6A-20, but one is flying with Garrett TPE-33ls SPORT BUSINESS undergo voluntary refresher training and checks have been only partially successful. For private pilots (the term "general aviation" in the USA is taken to include commercial opera- tions such as air taxis) the amount of flying training required might be three hours within a six-month period, or six hours within a 12-month period, before the pilot would be allowed to carry passengers or goods as pilot-in-charge. The proposals are tentative as yet, and the FAA is clearly none too certain what the details of such a scheme should be. One thing it may be certain of: there will not be any shortage of free advice from the US general aviation world. Pressure on VFR Airspace The US Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a rule to compel all jets, and other pressurised aircraft over 12,5001b gross weight, to adhere to instrument flight rules when operating in controlled airspace. Operations under visual flight rules are already prohibited in the "positive control" area which extends from 24,000ft (18,000ft in the North-Eastern and North Central USA) up to 60,000ft. The FAA's move follows its proposal to abolish special VFR in airport control zones (see Flight for October 26, page 668). Mr Max Karant, senior vice-president of the US Aircraft Owners' and Pilots' Association, told Flight that he considered that the FAA was yielding more and more to pressure applied by airlines and airline pilots for years to end VFR. AOPA has protested against the proposed abolition of special VFR on the grounds that it has operated successfully for many years, with no history of mid-air collisions; that the air traffic control system guarantees separation; and that special VFR has stood the test of time as a safe and useful procedure for expediting traffic, which at the same time makes use of parts of con- trolled airspace that are not normally used by aircraft following IFR procedures. Periodic Checks for US Private Pilots? Another controversial proposal by the US Federal Aviation Administration, recently announced, is that general aviation pilots should be required to undergo periodic flying instruction or proficiency checks. The proposal would replace one made last January that sought to require more training for private pilots' licences. The FAA admits that there is no conclusive proof as to the Proportion of general aviation accidents that.might have been Prevented by periodic instruction or proficiency checks. It considers nevertheless that the records show that many accidents ran be ascribed to "deterioration of basic airmanship and skills,a nd to pilots' failure to keep abreast of new developments and °Perational procedures." The FAA also notes that its efforts to encourage pilots to Irish Rally and Race The international air race and rally jointly sponsored by Rothmans of Pall Mall and the Irish Tourist Board will be held at Ballyfree Airfield, Glenealy, Co Wicklow, Ireland, on Saturday, June 1, to Whit Monday, June 3. More than 60 aircraft from all over Europe are expected to participate. Contestants in the rally will start from the air- field of their choice on June t and finish over Wicklow Harbour, landing later at Ballyfree. Ten prizes will be awarded. The race will be held over a course starting and finishing at Ballyfree, on June 2. On that and the following day, flying displays will also take place. Pooling Resources Two Leicester machine-tool companies, Wadkin Ltd and Adcock & Shipley Ltd, have got together to assist their export efforts by joint operation of a Piper Aztec. It will be based at Leicester East Aerodrome, and operated for the two companies by King Aviation, of East Midlands Airport, Castle Donington. The Aztec will be used to improve communications with European customers, and is believed to be the first aircraft to be jointly operated in this way in the UK. In the South Australian desert, one of six ex-RAAF Mustangs is run up before returning to civilisation (see this page last week). The aircraft have lain there since, 14 years ago, they were guinea pigs in an atomic test. Damage is reported slight, and radio-activity negligible
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