Smithy (movie) – Aviation Historical Society of Australia

DerekB30/09/202319/11/2023

Aviation Heritage Vol. 54 No. 3 (September 2023) Contents Listing

The latest quarterly AHSA journal – Aviation Heritage – has recently been posted to members. The contents of all articles are listed below: Aviation...

1914 The first flight of a military aircraft in Australia was completed by Eric Harrison in the Bristol Boxkite CFS-3 at Point Cook, Victoria. Source: Parnell, N. and Boughton, T., Flypast, A Record of Aviation in Australia, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 1988.

1992 The Civil Aviation Authority selected Thomson Radar Australia as the provider for the Australian Advanced Air Traffic System (TAAATS) on 1 March 1992, while parliamentarians on both sides of politics criticised the choice. The Minister for Shipping and Aviation Support, Senator Bob Collins reconsidered the choice when Parliament heard of unorthodox processes. In May, he called for a Senate Inquiry before being replaced by Senator Peter Cook, who later announced an independent inquiry chaired by the Honourable Ian Macphee AO. Senator Bob Collins became the new Minister for Transport and Communications. Source: Canberra Times, 20 September 1997; Age, 20 July 1997. via aph.gov.au website

2000 After a nine-year gestation, TAAATS was officially commissioned on 1 March 2000. The delay was in part due to litigation by one of the five unsuccessful contract bidders, Hughes Corporation. Final cost estimate was $377.5 million for completion by the Thomson-CSF company. TAAATS would win a number of international and local awards and become recognised as one of the most advanced air traffic control systems in the world. However, some early glitches and power failures, at Sydney Airport on 6 July and 1 August, tested both ATC and TAAATS. Source: Australian Aviation, May 2000. via aph.gov.au website

2002 A British Airways Boeing 747 experienced engine failure near Parkes on 1 March 2002, necessitating an emergency return to Sydney. Source: ATSB Occurrence Report, 24 Sept 2003. via aph.gov.au website

2004 On 1 March 2004 AirServices Australia announced the installation, on a temporary basis, of a transportable radar unit near Launceston in April to assist air traffic controllers, based at Melbourne airport, to increase aircraft surveillance and situational awareness to pilots over Tasmania. Source: ASA, media release 07/04, 1 March 2004. via aph.gov.au website

2006 On 1 March 2006 AirServices Australia announced the continuation of a restructuring to involve the loss of around 300 staff over 15 months. Source: ASA, Airservices Australia restructure, media release 03/06, 1 March 2006. via aph.gov.au website

2014 Saturday 1st of March 2014 marked 100 years since the first Australian military flight which took place at Point Cook. To celebrate the occasion a major Airshow entitled “Centenary of Military Aviation” was held at RAAF Williams, Point Cook. A replica Bristol Boxkite, constructed by the RAAF Museum and volunteers, flew on the actual centenary date, right down to the minute. Pilot on the day was Sqn Ldr Steve Bekker who managed to attain a speed of 55Kph and a height of 50 feet. Source: Warbirds Online website