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Aviation History
1968
1968 - 0148.PDF
146 FLIGHT International, I hbruari t AIR TRANSPORT. . A seventh Handley Page Html (PP-SDN) for Sadia, the Brozilj domestic carrier, was deli<mt, recently at Radlett prior to 8,500-m//e six-day ferrying fl^t Sao Paulo, via Iceland, Newfouj land, USA, Bahamas, Puerto Rj( and Dutch Guiana. The Herald w accepted by Captain San Sod/a's chief f>;7ot BUA/BOAC "ARRANGEMENTS" DENIED WITHDRAWAL of the ambitious route applications by British United Airways has prompted BALPA to believe that some deal is being done with BOAC behind the scenes. BUA say that this is not so. BUA's reasons, as recorded in our issue for January 4, page 5, were to the effect that there is no point in pursuing these applications with the Edwards Committee in progress. Financial difficulties are a further factor. It is significant that, for both British Eagle and Caledonian, the existence of the Edwards Committee strengthens rather than diminishes the independents' case for pressing the new route ambitions. The cost of hcensing hearings may be substantial but it is peanuts compared with the potential future business at stake. Thus BALPA has reason to suspect that there was more behind BUA's withdrawal than met the eye—an understand- ing with the Board of Trade, perhaps, that, if BUA withdrew, some accommodation with BOAC (involving no direct negotia- tions at this stage) might be arranged. This might (these thought-processes continue) take the form of the BEA take- overs of BKS and Cambrian, whereby BEA have assumed responsibility for all the financial liabilities of these indepen- dents (including a £1.3 million debt in the case of BKS) and have taken financial control of these companies while leaving the day-to-day management in their hands. Sensor of July 13, 1967, first referred to the possibility of BOAC capital assistance for BUA, and of discussions between this independent airline and the Board of Trade. Sir Myles Wyatt, chairman of BUA, denied that there was anything in these reports. Last week he reaffirmed to Flight that there is no truth whatever in suggestions of talks with anyone involving BOAC assistance of any kind for his airline. BALPA DIGS IN ON the eve of the first hearings of Lord Pearson's inquiry into its negotiating position, the British Air Line Pilots' Association felt obliged to defend itself strongly against allegations (reported in last week's issue, page 112) by BUA's managing director, Mr Alan Bristow, that the association's actions were contrary to the best interests of its BUA members. BALPA has objected (as it has the legal right to do under an industrial Court ruling some years ago) to revised schedules on the Africargo services because they mean that pilots fly for three consecutive days almost at the limits of BoT flight-time limitations. The matter has been referred to the Board of Trade. Mr Bristow threatened that BUA would close down unless pilots signed individual contracts instead of using collective bargaining methods through BALPA as has been done since the airline's formation. The Association said: "We find it impossible to believe that a major British airline could be dissolved simply because the management refuses to recognise its pilots' union. The threat is either an empty one, or else it conceals the fact that decisions have already been taken about the airline's future for which BALPA is to be made a scapegoat." The stand against BUA is based on three principles: union will not be "Mr Bristow's alibi for losses, pass future"; it will not abandon its members "by giving in crude threats"; and it will not "pre-empt the findings of Pearson Inquiry." The inquiry, into the question of negotiating procedw between the pilots and their employers, was set up befo Christmas by the Minister of Labour after the BOAC pilo mounted a 48hr strike to back their claim that talks wi BOAC could take place outside the National Joint Council f Civil Aviation, from which BALPA has resigned. Ironically BUA is also outside the NJC, having exercised right to resign some years ago, and the antipathy which Bristow has for the pilots' union is hard to explain. One in which BALPA explains the situation is that BUA is tryi to arrange some kind of merger with BOAC, either by din take-over or by Government-held shares (see preceding stoi Meanwhile, at a meeting of BUA pilots at Heathrow i January 24 there was "complete unanimity" among the 1 members present on the question of BALPA representing BU pilots. Over 180 of the 250 members which the associati< has in BUA have written to support the union, and repli were still coming in at the time of going to press. Applicatio to join, or re-join, were also reaching the association. ONCE MORE, WITH FEELING OUR report in last week's issue (page 111) on the remarks Che French Transport Minister, M Louis Ohamant, was tak from the story issued by a French news agency. Further deta of M Chamant's conversation at a reception in Paris Januady 19 have been given by an American news agen< After saying that the Concorde first flight would be in I spring, M Chamant explained: "In matters of this jmportan dates like this one, set up four years ago, cannot always kept with precision, but I can assure you that the Concor will make its maiden flight this spring, that is between March and June 22." M Chamant said that the delay was due to the late dehv< of some essential equipment. He quoted only two cases, bo British, as being responsible for the delays. "The first r British-made engines were delivered only in December and" remaining ones have not yet been delivered," he said. Chamant gave as his second example of the British «« "She automatic piloting system, also built by the British a which has not yet been delivered." He had no fear for future of Concorde: "a few weeks' delay for a prototype such a difficult venture means nothing. ... •. "The aircraft will make its first subsonic flight this spri followed by its first supersonic flight and then by reg" tests," he said. "Concorde will be operational in I*'1 previously announced." Flight published the denials by the Bristol Engine of Rolls-Royce, and Elliott-Automa/tion (who make the pilot), last week. Both said that delivery of their P™" had hsen (or would be) on schedule.
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