This time next month will see the introduction of the new airways charges that will be applicable to all aircraft using controlled airspace

This means that aircraft landing at Archerfield will be charged an "arrival fee" when the tower is operational

There is as well, the normal airport charges that are already in existence for "ground services" once the aircraft "arrives" at the 'Field

. . . . . . the "trade off" is a reduction in the cost of avgas of about 16 cents a litre

. . . . . . this will bring the light aircraft "user pays" charges in line with a similar system that has been used by the heavy jet aircraft industry for many years

. . . . . avgas should then equal mogas in value, leaving the avtur burning turbines still "winners" in the cost of fuel battle

The "big guns" arrive at the 'field to pick up the "little" guns

The Military arrive in "force" this morning to remove the Hunter's "big guns"

Security was tight around the Hunter's Hangar as the MP/FP move in with a fork-lift and three trucks to remove the recently banned automatic weapons "found" with the aircraft spare parts

And of interest yesterday was the re-visit to the 'Field of the large yellow flying billboard, the "Chocolate" Airship

. . . . . things must be really "tight" in the armed forces when they have to resort to "borrowing" equipment from aircraft owners

and

. . . . who was it that said "big birds" don't migrate in winter !

. . . . . the airship has been south of the border all during summer season and has now migrated north

. . . . it must have been feeling the cold with winter approaching !

Local action on the 'Field during the week saw a number of small changes occurring "groundside"

The flying schools met with the tower controllers and discussed the impact of added costs on the "user pays" training aircraft carrying out circuits during tower "active" operations

and

The "new concept" Australian Aviation Safety Foundation has established an office on the ground floor of the Main Terminal building after a L.A.M.E. training school "occupied" most of Hangar 1 where the Foundation administration had been handled by AirCentre

Another "new school" also started to-day and was undergoing training and lectures on the aircraft tarmac in front of and in the terminal building

. . . . . the emergency services personnel and their vehicles turned out in force for the "new school" and to put on a show of "fire power" for the airfields inhabitants

. . . . . with the recent spate of "lightie" accidents that have occurred it's no wonder there is so much attention focussed on education and training

and

. . . . . how do you "educate" a pilot who is prepared to take a twin engine aircraft off with only one engine running ?

. . . . reports have been received at the news desk about the C337 involved the Sunday accident at Bundaberg taxying for take-off with the rear engine propeller stationery !

Drama occurring at the 'Fields' Flying Schools over the new costs on flying training operations

As well as the "tower" charges for training aircraft carrying out "circuits and bumps" under the user pays system, there is also apprehension that the "ground" parking charges and rents are about to be dramatically increased by the new airport owner

Of interest also during the week was the recently made serviceable DC4 departing the 'field Wednesday for Papua New Guinea on a now rare, freight run

And the "old" fuel farm is undergoing "decommissioning" with the removal of the underground tanks

. . . . . the flurry of activity by the flying schools over the new air and ground charges appears a little late - click on News April 1997 where details on additional new costs were highlighted by this news page

. . . . . a bit like the old saying "shutting the gate after the horse has bolted"

. . . . . or should that be . . . "after most of the aircraft have left the 'field" !

The October 1996 News mentions the aircraft movement statistical situation compared with the other secondary airports of Bankstown, Moorabbin, Parafield and Jandakot

Concern over the Towers' "airways charges" is still the main topic of conversation on the 'Field

Meanwhile, the WA Eagle quietly taxied in during the week and after a quick visit to the maintenance shop and short ride on the back of a truck, it ended up at the "Big Boys Toys" show now on at the Brisbane Convention Centre

On Show
Friday/Saturday
Click on to enlarge

. . . . . . there appears to be a high emotional content and low logical reasoning on "claims" that it will cost an extra $35.00 dollars a flying training hour from July 1

. . . . . the flying schools appear to be "missing the point" when claiming that pilot training will decline to an unacceptable level due to the new "user pays" tower costs when operating "circuits and bumps"

. . . . . not so long ago the "circuits and bumps" content was only about 25% of the training requirement for a Private Pilot's Licence !