The Moscos Times reports that seemingly ludicrous airspace restrictions in Russia have been lifted this week, paving the way for what Russian aviation authorities hope will be a kick-start for private aviation in the country. Previously, private pilots in Russia had to wait 24 hours to get flight plans approved, but as of Monday that wait has been greatly reduced to a much more accommodating one hour. Authorities are calling the move a, “revolution for the air industry”. “We are getting close to Western standards where you can just get into your plane like you do with a car and fly,” said Vadim Katerinich, a flight instructor at the Jonathan Livingston flight club near the city of Ruza in the Moscow region. Under the new rules, Russian airspace will be divided into three zones (A, C, G) – A is reserved for commercial and military aircraft, while C and G are open to private aircraft. While the C zone will still require 24-hour advance notice, the G zone, which varies in altitude from 300-4500 metres, will be open to pilots on an hour's notice. Alexander Neradko, head of the Russian Federal Air Transportation Agency, believes the new rules will bring a new drive to GA in Russia. With a number of major aircraft manufacturers looking squarely at China to aid new growth, could Russia also hold a key role for GA’s recovery?
Canada’s National Post reports that one of the country’s busiest GA airports will be closed in the next five years, with housing development set to take its place. Buttonville Airport, located near the Markham-Toronto border not far from downtown Toronto, has served the local GA industry for 50 years. The Sifton family, owners and operators of the airport since 1963, are said to have been against the closure and to have fought hard for years to maintain the money-losing operation. AVweb reports that the Greater Toronto Airport Authority cancelled US$1.5 million in annual funding for the facility last year and that without the grant the airport can't go on. A sad state of affairs for GA in Canada.
Local filmmaker Damien Lay is commemorating the 75th anniversary of the disappearance of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and Tommy Pethybridge in the Lady Southern Cross with the unveiling of a life-sized replica of the original Lockheed Martin Altair plane. Built by using the original aircraft’s plans, Lay will unveil the 14x8metre replica plane accompanied by representatives from the Kingsford Smith and Pethybridge families at the very location of the original aircraft’s first flight. It’s all happening this coming Monday November 8 at Anderson Park, Neutral Bay from 0930-1400. Lay will also make an exclusive announcement on plans for a second working replica to be unveiled soon. In 2009, Lay announced that he knew the Myanmar location of the original Lady Southern Cross which had previously eluded researchers. His quest to recover the wreckage still continues.
The FAI has officially recognised three world records achieved during the flight of the solar-powered Solar Impulse in Switzerland on July 7. The Solar Impulse prototype HB-SIA, with its massive 64 metre wingspan, was flown for more than 26 hours by pilot André Borschberg. The aircraft flew throughout the entire night of July 7 solely on solar energy stored in the batteries during the day. As a result of the flight, which was the longest and highest in the history of solar aviation, Solar Impulse has been officially reconised by the FAI with the first World Records in the Solar Powered Airplane category. The records are for absolute altitude (9235m), gain of height (8744m), and duration (26h 10 m 19s).
Regional carrier Rex (Regional Express) has expressed concern about a possible requirement for all pilots engaged in airline operations in Australia to have a minimum of 1500 hours flying time, as suggested in a current Senate enquiry into pilot training. Rex Managing Director Jim Davis says that, “A minimum requirement of 1500 hours for airline pilots would be an absolute disaster. It would mean the end of all pilot cadet programs in Australia and make it impossible for airlines to source enough pilots to cope with planned future expansion... What the Senate Inquiry needs to focus on is the quality of training a pilot receives not the quantity of hours a pilot has flown”.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has launched its redesigned website, which it says aims to better communicate key safety messages from transport safety investigations and research reports while improving overall accessibility and usability. New features of the website include: - A scrolling news items section for quick updates on ATSB investigations and activities; - An improved investigations hub for better access to relevant data and information on active and completed investigations; - A progress bar that provides a visual on the status of ATSB investigations; - A latest reports section that lets you scroll and access recent investigation and research reports; and - An easier way to submit an accident/incident notification through improved secure online forms. Check it our now at www.atsb.gov.au.
Captain Patrick Fauchere, a veteran Indian helicopter pilot, has identified “huge” potential for growth for the helicopter industry in India. Speaking at a recent Eurocopter seminar, Fauchere suggested that, with India having large areas of inaccessible, hilly terrain, that development of helicopter services in the GA sector as well in various infrastructure projects could be forthcoming. Apparently there’s a mere 290 helicopters currently flying in India; to put that in perspective, Switzerland has more than 300 and there are currently 1793 choppers on CASA’s Civil Aircraft Register. Noting that India hasn’t developed enough in terms of helicopter business, Fauchere said an urgent relook is needed.
Some wild weather belting around the US Midwest this week has caused the proverbial to hit the fan for some aircraft owners. Three light aircraft at Chicago’s DuPage Airport were damaged by winds up to 70mph, one of which was tossed over an eight-foot airport fence by the gale. The damaging weather system was said to be remarkable for its super-low pressure readings, which were apparently the lowest ever recorded in North America, save for hurricanes and Nor'easters.
US company 4 Paws Aviation has introduced new hearing protection for pets when their owners (on the odd occasion) decide to take them on flights in private aircraft. The 4 Paws Aviation ‘Ear Gear’ is made of nylon, aircraft approved sound deadening foam, non-toxic gel cups, webbing, and a safety ‘break a way’ clip that goes under the animals chin for safety. Apparently tests have shown the Ear Gear to provide a noise reduction of 41.875dBHL for a pilot's furry friend. For more info visit: www.4PawsAviation.com.
And for those who like their aviation with lashings of whizz bang Hollywood overtones, it’s been confirmed that a sequel to Top Gun is in the works. Apparently the US Navy received an incredible 500 per cent increase in recruiting after the iconic film’s 1986 release – anyone up for making a General Aviation Hollywood epic? Avid pilot Harrison Ford would probably play the lead… .
The Solar Impulse prototype HB-SIA. (Solar Impulse)
