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Aviation History
1983
1983 - 0008.PDF
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE ROYAL AERO CLUB PRIVA TE FLIGHT New training programme from Beech Beech is introducing a new programmed-learning ground school course for its Beech Aero Centres and Clubs. Called An Invitation to Fly: Basics for the Private Pilot, it combines textbook and work book material with about 15hr of video tape. Improved advanced training courses on video tape have been developed by Jeppesen/ Sanderson. The company's Aero Club network currently has more than 5,000 active members and 122 clubs. Aircraft marketed under the Aero Centre label for 1983 are the Duchess twin, 200 h.p. retractable Sierra, 180 h.p. fixed-gear Sundowner, and 115 h.p. Skipper two-seater. Base prices are $143,500, $73,000, $53,550, and $28,650 respectively. The four Bonanza models for 1983 are the B36TC at a base price of $161,500; A36 at $135,000; V35B at $126,500, and F33A at $126,500. Beech is pressing ahead with work on the prototype Lightning single-engined pressurised turboprop and quotes $495,000 to $595,000 in present dollars for the first production run, depending on engine choice. The three options planned for initial air craft are: PT6A-40, giving 275kt cruise; PT6A-116 for 230kt cruise; and Garrett TPE-331-9 for 235kt cruise. More than 50 letters of intent have been received for the Lightning since its public debut in September, and first deliveries are expected in late 1984 or early 1985. Smallest radio A fountain pen-sized radio claimed to be the world's smallest aircraft band receiver is now available in the UK. Power comes from two readily available "button" batteries, earpiece and case are pro vided, and it covers the usual VHF range from 109 to 130MHz. Price is £12-95 in cluding VAT, postage, and a guarantee, from Mike Derrett, "Waterglades", The Street, Salcott, near Maldon, Essex CM9 BHW, tel 062 183 673. The Bonanza flies into its 36th year, a record for continuous production with more than 13,000 built to date. Top of the line is the B36TC with a 1,000-plus n.m. range Long live the Cub The Piper Super Cub, de scendant of the legendary Cub, is not dead after all. Recent figures from the US General Aviation Manu facturers Association show that last November more shipments (22) of the Super Cub were made than any other GA aircraft in the USA. They were part of a batch built for the Texas-based company WTA, which has taken over marketing rights for the Cub from Piper. WTA has been a Piper dis tributor for more than 20 years, handles other Piper piston types, and also has marketing rights for the Pawnee Brave ag aircraft. Current Cub and Pawnee Brave sales are running at two each per month. The company says that it has an inter national sales network for the Super Cub, and is very con fident about its future. One reason is the re- emphasis on "basic" flying signified by the ultralight movement, and proposals for recreational licences and de signs in the USA. The 1983 Super Cub is far outside their price bracket, however, costing nearly $38,000 in its simplest form, and probably some $44,000 with an electric system, starter, and other options. Another reason is the fact that there will probably always be a market for the Cub and aircraft like it, since the tube-and-fabric tailwheel concept is hard to better for low-cost, low-maintenance flying from short strips. WTA is at Lubbock Inter national Airport, Route 3, Box 48A, Lubbock, Texas 79401; tel (806) 765-7242, telex 744439. • The company has discon tinued the 375 h.p. version of the Brave. A new optional dis persal system is available featuring front-mounted belt- driven spray from stainless- steel dropped booms. MoreGNav developments Several new chart and avionics items are available from the producers of GNav, the graphic navigation and position-plotting system based on VOR or VOR/DME inputs. Vortrack, the track- monitoring or "poor man's RNav" aid, is available with self-adhesive film for use with half-million topographical charts at £10-85. Readings from two VOR beacons, a VOR/DME combination (not necessarily co-located) or Tacan are the only inputs needed. The Track Monitor enables single-handed GNav tasks to be carried out, for a price of £15 • 25. Several items of VOR equipment are also now avail able, manufactured by Ash which has specialised in light aircraft radios for some ten years. The Ash 180 VOR tester (battery-powered) is little more than 4in long and can be used in the cockpit to check VOR sets in situ, or for fault finding. Price is £165 plus VAT. The second also portable item has a search facility which will lock on to a VOR and display the frequency then radial. Rechargeable bat teries give lOhr continuous use, and it is planned to offer this eventually as a panel in stallation. Price is £395 plus VAT. A third unit is a Digital VOR Indicator which can dis play inputs from either of two standard VOR receivers and saves a lot of workload when using GNav. All items mentioned and further details are obtainable from Wansbrough-White & Co, Chiswick Mall, London W4 2PW; tel 01-994 0964. • Results of the 1982 GNav competition have been an nounced by the Panel of Judges chaired by H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh: 1 Mike McDonnell and Vicky Bux ton; 2 R. W. Evans (Precision Pilots Association Trophy); 3 Mike Kemp (Airtour Trophy); 4 D. B. M. Boynton (South- ernair Trophy); 5 D. Cress- well and D. Crosby-Clark; 6 T. Price & D. B. M. Boynton; 7 R. H. Levi. Lake update Lake Aircraft's address for business enquiries is now Lanconia Airport, Lanconia, New Hampshire 03246, tel (603) 524-5868, telex Lake Air Lana 94-3554. Renegade sales recently topped 11 and domestic sales include three in Florida, and one each in Seattle and Alaska. Orders need a $5,000 deposit and balance of 15 per cent on FAA certification. All aircraft will now be delivered with 95 US gal fuel capacity for a quoted 1,000 n.m. maximum range. FLIGHT International, 1 January 1983
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