Minister sees new aircraft DPR/TV/787

The newly nominated Minister for the Army, Mr Phillip R. Lynch MP of the Victorian electorate of Flinders, got off to a flying start on his first day as Minister. Four hours before being sworn in by the Governor General, Lord Casey, at Government House, he flew in the Army's new Pilatus Porter aircraft, with outgoing Army Minister, Mr Malcolm Fraser, the Secretary for the Army Department, Mr Bruce White, and Colonel Simkin, a senior Staff Officer from Army Headquarters, Canberra. Before boarding the plane the party was briefed on its capabilities by Major Graeme Hill-Smith of Amberley, Qld, who piloted the aircraft from Fairbairn airbase, Canberra. Fourteen of the Swiss-designed aircraft have been ordered by the Army, and four have already been handed over. The Pilatus Porter can take off in 100 yards, and land in 70 yards. It is a rugged, high wing monoplane, with fixed landing gear. From the aircraft, Mr Lynch, who was able to make a personal assessment of the Army's light aircraft, had an excellent view of Canberra - including Fairbairn, the Royal Military College, Duntroon, and the Parliament House complex. (Also identified: Colonel Harding, Commanding Officer of 1st Aviation Regiment, Amberley, Qld)