Business & Commercial Aviation News from May 1965

Jessica A. Salerno May 12, 2015

Merlin II, from May 1965 issue of Business & Commercial Aviation

Merlin II completed first flights in April achieving 289 mph cruise at 20,000 ft., max continuous power. Produced by Swearingen Aircraft, San Antonio, Texas, it will be certified under CAR Part 3 within the next six month. Max takeoff weight of 9,000 lb. and it will sell for about $310,000 (excluding avionics). 

DH 125, from May 1965 issue of Business & Commercial Aviation

Thirty-one DH 125s have been sold to U.S. and Canadian companies. Production rate has been upped to seven per month by Hawker Siddeley in England. Stripped-down versions are shipped from England. Then interior fittings and equipment are installed per customer specs by one of three North American distributors.

Bell Compound Heli, from May 1965 issue of Business & Commercial Aviation

The Bell compound helicopter lived up to its billing recently when it flew 250 mph in level flight, the fastest any rotorcraft ever has gone. A military version is being developed.

Front cover of the May 1965 issue of Business & Commercial Aviation

You can pick your own interpretation for this month's B&CA cover of a Cessna 310i at dusk. Our favorite is that of businessmen returning after a day's work at some distant locale. It is a type of scene that is becoming more common among today's modern executives, which find the company aircraft allows them more time for business away from home yet more time at home.

Cessna advertisement in the May 1965 issue of Business & Commercial Aviation

The full capability line of Cessna's "Can Do" twins. The ad says that for the past nine years, more people buy Cessna airplanes than any other make.

The May 1965 issue of Business & Commercial Aviation included these news items as well as the aircraft in the image gallery:

  • "What's that you say, Herschell? Who and what are the COSHASTIRS? (Copilot Shall Always Stay in the Right Seat.)" – Torch Lewis, B&CA
  • Butler Aviation will spend $3 million to improve and expand its facilities at La Guardia Airport, New York, under the terms of a 15-year operating agreement with the Port of Authority. New tanks and piping will be installed, along with passenger waiting areas, a pilots’ lounge and operations office.
  • The Mooney-Mitsubishi MU-2 turbo­prop will sell for basic price of $260,000. The plane makes its U.S. debut at the NBAA show in October in Los Angeles. Two MU-2’s will be flown from Japan via Europe to U.S., and will stop briefly at Mooney’s plant in Kerrville, Texas, on its way to California. Price: $260,000.
  • Beech has no plans to turbocharge any engine. It told B&CA that the only way it would accept turbocharging is if it were offered by an engine manufacturer who would stand behind the engine. The statement obviously implied that the company does not sanction turbocharged mods to existing Beech airplanes.
  • Heavy blow to British private pilots is the withdrawal of fuel tax rebate. Government decision makes private flying hours $.80-$1.50 more expensive.
Jessica A. Salerno

Jessica is Executive Editor of Business & Commercial Aviation magazine. She started as Editor of ShowNews Online, Aviation Week's on-site trade show daily published at the Paris Air Show, NBAA Annual Convention, Singapore Air Show and at other significant aerospace gatherings.

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