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Qantas’ low-cost carrier Jetstar has changed its operating procedures following a mishandled missed approach during an attempted instrument landing system (ILS) approach at Melbourne on July 21, 2007. A report released today by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) found that the go-around didn’t work as intended for two primary reasons
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Airbus Industrie put its new A330-200 freighter through an intensive test regime during its first flight on November 5, flying the aircraft to its maximum speed and altitude. The new dedicated Freighter variant of the A330 series underwent comprehensive trials during a four hour maiden flight over Toulouse, marking the start of a 180 hour flight-test and certification campaign, and paving the way for first delivery of the type to launch operator, Etihad Crystal Cargo, in the summer of 2010.
Qantas has defined its plans to overhaul its domestic airport check-in, which it says will halve check-in times for its customers at Australian CityFlyer ports.
Qantas Chief Executive Alan Joyce told the National Aviation Press Club yesterday the Airport of the Future initiative would begin next year with the introduction of “next generation check-in.”
Paul Phelan flies Diamond’s newest four seat trainer/tourer. There’s been a notable turnaround in Diamond aircraft’s sales since Hawker Pacific took on its regional representation, and the well-known Austrian/Canadian manufacturer now enjoys a strong and growing presence in the Australian and New Zealand markets. Diamond’s biggest-yet sales boost, at least in our region, came with an impressive order from New Zealand’s Massy University, announced at Avalon last March… Read More
British Airways has launched a new intercity service using two relatively small Airbus A318s to fly its premium passengers direct on the first long-haul flights between London City Airport and New York’s JFK International Airport in super-luxury. In standard configuration the smallest jet of the Airbus “family” normally carries eight first-class passengers and 99 in economy. But the British Airways version is configured for an all-business service, with just 32 seats that convert into fully-flat beds, with on-board connectivity provided by an Airbus-SITA joint venture called OnAir, so passengers can work during the flight via e-mail, web surfing and mobile phone text messaging.
Mr Max Moore-Wilton AC, the Chairman of Sydney Airport, has been elected the new chairman of Airports Council International (ACI). ACI is a global aviation organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland, that provides leadership and support to 1,670 airports in 177 countries and territories around the world. Its member airports together handled 4.9 billion passengers last year representing 96% of the world’s air passengers. Mr Moore-Wilton was appointed Chairman of Sydney Airport Corporation Limited in April 2006 having been Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman since December 2002.
Air New Zealand has ordered 14 Airbus A320 aircraft to replace its existing domestic fleet of 15 Boeing 737-300s. The aircraft will be powered by IAE V2500 engines as are Air New Zealand’s existing fleet of A320s. The carrier says the A320, which is larger than the B737s it will replace, will enable it to increase capacity on routes that are starting to face capacity constraints at some airports during peak times. Air New Zealand has also placed purchase options for a further 11 A320s…
The following were CASA Director John McCormick’s comments as recorded by Hansard at the end of a session with the Senate Estimates Committee on October 20. “Before concluding, I would like to make an important point, one that should probably have been made long before now. CASA is certainly no stranger to criticism, complaints and variably informed expressions of dissatisfaction with the things…”
Boeing has chosen its facility at North Charleston, S.C. as the location for a second final assembly site for the 787 Dreamliner program. Boeing says it evaluated criteria that were designed to find the final assembly location within the company that would best support the 787 business plan as the program increases production rates.
The RAAF’s first Airbus Military A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) made its first “wet contact” on October 21, successfully refuelling two F16s from the Portuguese Air Force. The advanced in-house designed air refuelling boom system (ARBS) demonstrated that it is well integrated into the airframe, with all systems functioning satisfactorily.
Channel Seven and the ABC are reporting that Victoria had refused a Russian government offer of two advanced water-bombing jet aircraft on “Black Saturday,” which come as no surprise to frustrated bush fire fighters. But in 1997 help was closer at hand although it was almost ignored. In that year five major fires broke out, including a cluster of fires in the Dandenong Ranges that caused three fatalities, destroyed 41 houses and burnt 400 hectares.
Italian light aircraft manufacturer TECNAM and Austria’s Airborne Technologies have rolled out a dedicated multi-mission surveillance variant of Tecnam’s new light retractable-gear twin. TECNAM’s multi-mission aircraft (MMA) is now offered as an affordable and efficient airborne surveillance platform, exploiting modern ultra-lightweight surveillance systems that make it capable of extended on-station operations with a two-person crew comprising one pilot and one system operator.
Virgin Blue Airlines Group today responded sharply to engineer union allegations of short-cutting on aircraft maintenance, insisting that it complies fully with all maintenance checks and standards required by Boeing and CASA. Virgin says it has every confidence in the integrity of its maintenance program, procedures, and the professionalism of its engineers.
Singapore-based ST Aerospace today announced that the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has approved its commercial pilot training subsidiary, ST Aviation Training Academy (STATA), as a Flight Training Organisation (FTO). This makes STATA the first third-party FTO in Singapore to provide pilot training without affiliation to airlines.
Qantas will employ 100 engineering apprentices in February 2010, in a $28 million investment to support fleet growth and the skilling of its engineering business. A Qantas engineering apprenticeship runs for four years. The new employees will commence in February, as part of Australia’s largest civil aviation apprentice program. Qantas currently employs 286 apprentices, increasing to 380 by February 2010.
The US Federal Aviation Administration is proposing civil penalties totaling $9.2 million in against two of the USA’s biggest carriers for alleged aircraft maintenance breaches. The FAA Proposes a $3.8 Million Penalty Against United Airlines for allegedly operating one of its Boeing 737 aircraft on more than 200 flights after the carrier had violated its own maintenance procedures on one of the aircraft’s engines.
We can’t pinpoint the exact date, but readers keep reminding us that it’s 21 years this September since CASA launched its regulatory review program (RRP) to upgrade our dismally concocted, confused, contradictory and contaminated regulatory structure. The program set sail with the seemingly modest goal of introducing clear and concise regulations that were fewer, simpler, more enforceable, more appropriate, and in harmony with the rule structures of other nations. And there was lots of industry consultation.
European mega-manufacturer Airbus Industrie now forecasts a demand for some 25,000 passenger and freighter aircraft valued at US$3.1 trillion over the next 20 years, The corporation’s latest Global Market Forecast is based on projections of emerging economies, evolving airline networks…
Boeing and FedEx Express today celebrated the delivery of the world’s largest air cargo carrier’s first B777 Freighter. Boeing says the world’s largest and most capable twinjet freighter will help FedEx Express deliver more cargo even faster, allowing the carrier to offer customers greater flexibility.
Fly Synthesis’ fun-flying product range now includes six separate Italian-built light sport and ultralight aeroplane types, the most popular of which is its Texan Top Class 600 LSA. Having won my RAA pilot certificate in a Texan 550, I was more than happy when Australian Director Caz Monteleone invited me to update my Texan experience at his Donnybrook base on Melbourne’s northern fringe.
Airbus Industrie will increase its single-aisle A320 Family monthly production rate from the current rate of 34 to 36, starting in December. Airbus says its decision to raise its single-aisle production rate is driven by the continuing demand and a record order backlog in excess of some 2,300 A320 Family aircraft.
Sydney Airport has again come fifth in the Australian Consumer Competition’s (ACCC) annual assessment of airport performance, despite a consultant’s customer survey earlier this week that revealed it was marginally increasing its popularity with passengers.
Helicopter pilot training professionals contacting AviationAdvertiser say they were appalled to hear that the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) was not investigating the training helicopter crash on Mount Barney near Kyogle on January 28.
The Japanese Ground Self Defense Force has chosen Enstrom Helicopter Corporation to supply the next generation of training helicopters for the JGSDF Pilot Training Program. The program calls for the first evaluation helicopter to be delivered in 2010, with a total of 30 aircraft to joipn the program by 2014.
