News Desk

The 3000 Aircraft Comprise the Entire 747, 767 and 777 Product Lines Which Are Assembled at Boeing’s Everett, Washington Facility, and the Tally Does Not Include the Mcdonnell Douglas Dc-10 and Md-11 Lines Which It Took Responsibility for When the Two Companies Merged in 1997. Boeing Estimates the 3000 Aircraft Have Logged 148 Million Flight Hours Over 34. 5 Million Flights Since the First 747 Entered Service in 1970, and That 2610 of the Aircraft Remain in Service Today.

The 2000th Delivery Was a 747-400 for British Airways in 1998, and the 1000th Was a 767-300er for Scandinavian Airlines in 1989.

In the Same Week That Boeing Delivered Its 3000th Widebody Airliner, It Also Logged Its 1000th Order for the 777 Twinjet. The Order for Four 777-300ers Was Placed by Brazil’s Tam on August 29, Taking the 777’s Tally to 1003, and Over the 100 Mark for the Calendar Year to Date.

The First Order for the 777 Was Placed by United Airlines in 1990.

Boeing Also Marked the 7000th 737 Order Milestone by Having Employees Form the Number ‘7000’ in Front of a 737 Fuselage on August 9. The 7000th 737 Order Was Placed by Indonesia’s Lion Air When It Ordered 40 Additional 737-900ers at June’s Paris Airshow, but Boeing Did Not Announce the Milestone at the Time.

Boeing Says It Has an Order Backlog for 1600 737s Valued at Over Us$100bn (a$124bn) at List Prices. Lion Air Now Has 100 737-900ers on Order.

56 Per Cent Delivery Share for Boeing? A New Study by Us Based Forecast International, Titled the Market for Large Commercial Jet Transports Claims That 9528 Large Commercial Jet Transports Valued at Us$986bn (a$1. 24bn) Will Be Built From 2007 Through to 2016. The Company Says Boeing Will Account for Nearly 56 Per Cent of Deliveries, and Airbus Just 43 Per Cent, Due to the Success of the Former’s 787 Twinjet.

“it is Difficult to Overestimate Just How Much the 787 Has Turned Boeing’s Fortunes Around,” Said Forecast International Senior Aerospace Analyst Raymond Jaworowski. “boeing Correctly Saw That Airlines Wanted a New, Efficient Airliner in the Mid-size Capacity Class. ”

A380 Approved for Standard Runways

the Airbus A380 Has Received Approval From the European Aviation Safety Agency (Easa) and the Us Federal Aviation Administration (Faa) to Operate From Standard Runways With a Width of 45 Metres or More.

The Ruling Allows A380 Operators More Flexibility in Where They Can Operate Their Aircraft and Provides a Greater Choice of Cautionary Diversion Airfields. “This Aircraft Has Been Shown to Be Safely Controllable and to Be Compliant With Applicable Airworthiness Requirements When Operating on Runways With a Width of 45 Metres or More,” the Faa’s Director Flight Standards Service, James Ballough, Said in July 19 Letter to Airbus.

The A380’s Wing Span and the Placement of Its Outboard Engine, and Not the Aircraft’s Weight, Has Always Been the Major Consideration for Airport Compatibility, With Versions of Boeing’s 777 Presenting a Heavier Footprint Per Undercarriage Wheel Than the Airbus Giant.

“full Airport Compatibility Has Always Been a Key Design Driver for (the A380),” Airbus’s A380 Chief Mario Heinen Said in a Statement.

Meanwhile, an A380 Test Aircraft Was Deployed to Emirates’s Home Base in Dubai in August to Assist That Airline With the Establishment of Its Type-specific Operating Procedures for When It Takes Its First of Up to 55 A380s Next August. The Tests Included Hot Weather Testing of the Aircraft, Airport Gate and Equipment Compatibility Checks, as Well as Servicing, Maintenance and Ground Handling Tests.

“Having Worked Closely With Airbus in the Design and Development of the A380, We Are Delighted to Be Collaborating With Them Once Again to Test the Ground Handling Aspects of the Aircraft and Its Operational Performance in Normal and Extreme Conditions,” Emirates Executive Vp Engineering and Operations, Adel Al Redha Said. “Between Now and the Final Date of Delivery, There Will Be More Opportunities to Test the Aircraft’s Systems Including the Unique Cabin Interiors. It is Our Aim to Continue Working on Perfecting the Operational Procedures – on the Ground and in the Air – to Ensure 100 Per Cent Readiness When Emirates’s First A380 Enters Service Next Year. ”

Rolls-royce Trent 1000 Engine for 787 Certified the Launch Engine for the Hot-selling Boeing 787, the Rolls-royce Trent 1000, Has Been Granted Airworthiness Certification.

The Concurrent Certification by the Faa and Easa Allows the Engine to Commence Flight Testing Aboard the 787, Currently Due to Commence Sometime in October, and Comes Just 18 Months After Its First Ground Test.

Rolls-royce Says About Half the Customers Who Have Made Their Engine Choice Announcements to Date Have Chosen the Trent 1000 Over Its General Electric Genx Competitor.

Sukhoi Superjet Roll Out Date Announced the First Prototype of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 Regional Airliner Will Reportedly Be Rolled Out on September 26.

Powerjet, the Franco-russian Engine Manufacturer of the Superjet’s Sam146 Engines Delivered the First Engines to Sukhoi at the End of August. It Says 10 Engines Are Planned to Be Produced for the Certification Program.

Sukhoi Says 80 Superjets Have Been Ordered.

Commercial Briefs

* Airbus Says It Has Filed More Than 38

0 Patent Applications for Technologies It Has Developed for Its A380 Program. It Says It Has Recorded Significant Innovations in the Aircraft’s Aerodynamics, Cabin Design, Engine Integration, Flight Control and Other Aircraft Systems, Manufacturing Techniques, and Advanced Lightweight Composite Materials. The First A380 is Due to Enter Service With Singapore Airlines on October 25.

* Tiger Airways Has Chosen the Iae V2500 Engine to Power the 50 Airbus A320s It Has on Order as Part of Its Significant Expansion Into Australia and Southeast Asia. Iae is a Partnership Between Rolls-royce, Pratt & Whitney, Japan’s Aero Engines Corporation, and Germany’s Mtu Aero Engines.

* Privately Held German Industrial Group Voith is Reportedly Interested in Purchasing Three Airbus Plants in Germany. Airbus Owner Eads is Looking to Partially or Completely Sell-off Six of Its European Plants Under the Power8 Restructuring Plan.

* Atr Has Moved Its Sydney Office. The New Office is Located at Suite 1002, Level 10 of the Gateway Building at 1 Macquarie Place, Just Behind Circular Quay. The Office’s Postal Address and Contact Numbers Remain the Same.

Military

Raaf Hornets for Afghanistan? A September 3 Report in the Australian Newspaper Has Revealed the Adf is Considering Sending a Detachment of Raaf F/a-18as to Afghanistan.

It is Thought That Between Six and 10 Hornets, All Upgraded Hug 2. 2 and 2. 4 Jets With the Latest Colour Cockpit Displays, Link-16 Datalinks, Litening at Targeting Pods and Jhmcs Helmet Sights, Could Be Deployed Early Next Year, Either as Part of the Nato Commitment to That Theatre or as an Additional Combat Force, and Will Most Likely Be Based in the Southern Afghan City of Kandahar.

A Spokesman for Defence Minister Brendan Nelson Told Australian Aviation That “at This Stage There’s No Plan” to Deploy the Hornets, but Added ‘i Wouldn’t Rule It Out. . . It Really Depends on What the Dutch End Up Doing. ” the Netherlands Has a Detachment of Ah-64d Apache Attack Helicopters Deployed to Afghanistan to Provide Force Protection for Their Own and Australian Troops Stationed in the Southern Oruzgan Province, but the Dutch Government is Considering Withdrawing Its Forces From Afghanistan in the Face of Increasing Public Opposition at Home to the Deployment.

The F/a-18s Could Provide a Valuable Contribution in the Afghan Theatre in Place of the Dutch Apaches, With Their Ability to Employ Laser and Gps Guided Gbu Class Bombs in the Strike, Close Air Support or Fast-fac Roles, or to Perform Force Protection Duties for Convoys or Deployed Ground Positions With the Aid of Their New Litening at Pods and Datalinks.

The Jets Will Most Likely Come From the Williamtown Based 77 or 3sqns.

Power Deficit for F-35c

Lockheed Martin Has Reportedly Discovered a Power Deficit on the F-35 Jsf, One That Only Materialises During Extreme Manoeuvres.

The Issue is Most Prevalent on the ‘big Winged’ F-35c Which, During Laboratory Testing With All of Its Control Surfaces’ Electro-hydrostatic Actuators Simultaneously Drawing Power, Has Shown a Requirement Deficit of Up to 33 Per Cent Compared to What Its Onboard Generators Are Capable of Providing. The Aircraft’s Generators Have a Combined Capacity of 300kw.

A Report in ‘flight International’ Says Lockheed Martin Already Has a Fix on the Way After Contracting With Hamilton Sundstrand to Boost the Aircraft’s Generating Capacity to 400kw, While Engine Maker Pratt & Whitney Has Been Tasked to Strengthen the Engine Gearbox to Handle the Additional Power.

The Changes Are Not Expected to Delay Flight Testing of the First F-35c From Early 2009, With the Changes Expected to Be Incorporated Onto Test and Low Rate Production Aircraft Later That Year.

In Other F-35 News, Lockheed Martin Has Reportedly Applied to the Pentagon to Transfer Elements of the Flight Test Campaign From the F-35 Test Fleet to the 737-based Catbird Systems Test Aircraft and to Reduce the Number of F-35 Test Aircraft in Order to Replenish a Reserve Fund With Has Dwindled From Us$2bn (a$2. 44bn) to Us$392m (a$479m) Due to Program Delays in Recent Years.

The Company Says It Can Save Us$600m (a$732m) by Reducing the Test Fleet From 14 to 12 Aircraft, Reducing the Number of Planned Test Flights From 5000 to 4300, and Transferring Systems Testing to the Catbird and to Simulators and Laboratories.

The Reserve Fund Was Put in Place When the Project Was Started in 2001 to Fund Development Overruns.

F-35 Pilot Training System Completes Design Review the Pilot Training System Designed for the F-35 Lightning Ii Jsf Has Passed Its Critical Design Review (Cdr), a Crucial Milestone Before Software and Hardware Development Can Commence.

The Cdr Was Undertaken at Lockheed Martin’s Simulation & Support in Orlando, and Included Representatives From the Joint Strike Fighter Program Office (Jpo), F-35 Contractors, and Members of the Us and F-35 International Partner Services.

“the Results of Our Pilot Training Systems Design Review Helps Ensure That Pilots Get the Most Comprehensive, Technologically-advanced Integrated Schoolhouse Possible Including Simulator and Classroom Training,” Lockheed Martin’s President of Simulation, Training & Support, Dale Bennett Said in a Statement.

The F-35 Will Be the First Combat Aircraft to Use Actual Aircraft Software for Its Simulators, and Air System Data for the Training Courseware. “this Level of Reuse Enables High Fidelity and Also Reduces Software and Courseware Development and Life Cycle Support Costs. ” Meanwhile, the Pratt & Whitney F135 Stovl Engine for the F-35b Has Completed a Series of Crosswind Validation Tests at P&w’s Facility in West Palm Beach, Florida. A Pt-6 Turboprop Engine Was Used to Simulate Crosswinds of Up to 35 Knots (65kmh) Across the Inlet of the Engine’s Lift Fan as Its Simulated Flying in Stovl Mode at Up to Full Power Settings.

Indonesia Orders Six More Sukhois

Indonesia Ordered Three Su-30mk2 and Three Su-27skm Fighters at a Signing Ceremony at the Maks Airshow in Moscow in Late August.

The Aircraft Will Add to the Two Su-30s and Two Su-27s Which Were Acquired in 2003, Allowing the Indonesian Air Force (Tni-au) to Build Its Numbers to a Near-squadron Strength of 10 Aircraft.

The New Agreement is Reportedly Still Dependant on the Government Being Able to Secure Loans From Foreign Banks to Fund the Us$350m (a$427m) Deal, and Reportedly Does Not Include Any Weapons or in-service Support for the Aircraft.

Indian Fighter Rfp Finally Released

India Has Finally Released a Request for Proposals for 126 Fighter Aircraft to Replace the Mig-21 in Indian Air Force (Iaf) Service.

The Rfp Was Sent to Six Companies, With Those Competing for What is Currently the World’s Largest Fighter Deal Including the Boeing F/a-18e/f Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin F-16c/d, the Rac Mig Mig-35, Saab’s Jas-39c/d Gripen, Eurofighter’s Typhoon, and the Dassault Rafale. A March 3, 2008 Deadline Has Been Set for the Bids to Be Received, After Which a Detailed Assessment Will Be Made Before a Downselect of a Single-source or Multiple Winners is Made.

Boeing Officials Told Australian Aviation Recently That There Are Many Technology Transfer Issues to Be Overcome if a Us Contender Was to Be Selected, Including How the Super Hornet’s Apg-79 Aesa Radar Would Be Supported in India. The Rfp Calls for the First 18 Aircraft to Be Delivered From the Manufacturer, at Which Time Local Manufacture in India Would Kick in and Local Content Be Progressively Increased Through the Production Run.

Analysts Predict the Selection Process May Be a Drawn Out One, as India Has Specified Industrial and Technological Offsets of Up to 50 Per Cent of the Value of the Deal, a Figure Which the Us and European Contenders Are Expected to Find Difficult to Meet.

100th F-22 Delivered to Usaf the 100th Lockheed Martin F-22a Raptor Was Delivered to the Usaf on August 29 at a Ceremony at the Aircraft’s Marietta, Georgia Assembly Facility.

The Aircraft, Which is Destined to Be Delivered to Elmendorf Afb in Alaska (Which Recently Received Its First F-22), Was Formally Accepted by Usaf Secretary Michael Wynne.

Meanwhile, a Report Which Labels Critics of the F-22 as “short-sighted” Has Been Released in the Us. Written by a Former Usaf Pilot and Strategic Planner, Ltgen Thomas Mcinerney (Ret), the Report Says the F-22’s Capabilities Should Not Be Viewed in the Context of the Current War on Terrorism, but in the Much Larger Global Strategic Landscape Which is Currently Emerging. He Used the F-15 Which Entered Service in the Early 1970s as an Example. “i Clearly Remember From My Own Experience as a Fighter Pilot When the Same Voices Derided the Merits of Another Fighter — the F-15 Eagle — as Too Costly and an Unnecessary Replacement to the F-4 Phantom. We Would All Do Well to Look at How History Proved Them Wrong. ” He Added That “it Seems That Some Americans Have Stared for So Long Now at Afghanistan and Iraq That They’ve Forgotten About Other Existing and Emerging Threats to Our National Security. Countries Like North Korea, Syria, and Iran Pose Real Challenges to Us Interests and Ideals Both Regionally and Internationally, and They’re Spending Real Money on Advanced Weapons, to Include New Fighters and Air Defences, That Specifically Counter Us Air Force Capabilities. ” a Total of 183 F-22s Are Currently on Order for the Usaf.

Eads Completes Boom Electrostatic Discharge Tests Online Australian Defence Newsletter Diar. Com Reported in Early September That Eads Casa Has Completed a Series of Electrostatic Discharge Tests on the Aerial Refuelling Boom System (Arbs) Fitted to an A310 Test Airframe.

The Tests Are Designed to Simulate a Possible Arc of Static Electricity That Can Occur Between the Tanker and a Receiving Aircraft, and Involved an Instantaneous Electrical Charge of 200,000 Volts on the Boom’s Nozzle. Eads Casa Reports the Ground-based Electrostatic Tests Successfully Confirmed the Arbs and Its Fly-by-wire Control System Were Unaffected by the Electrical Spikes, and That the A310 Will Soon Commence Inflight Contacts and Fuel Transfers With Various Receiver Aircraft.

The Arbs Will Equip the Raaf’s Five A330 Based Kc-30b Tankers When They Enter Service From 2009.

First Centre Barrel Hornet Returns the First Raaf Hornet to Have Had Its Centre Barrel Main Fuselage Section Replaced Has Been Returned to Australia After Undergoing the Extensive Upgrade in Canada, the Department of Defence Has Confirmed.

Australian Aviation Understands Single-seat Hornet A21-16 Was Airlifted Back to Australia by Antonov an-124 Freighter Back in Early July After Being Fitted With Its New Centre Barrel by L-3 Mas at Mirabel, Canada. It is Now Undergoing Reassembly at Williamtown Prior to Flying Again in October. At This Stage a Further Nine Hornet Centre Barrel Replacements Will Be Undertaken in Canada, Under the Hornet Upgrade (Hug) Program’s Phase 3. 2.

“full Rate Production is Planned for Up to 39 Aircraft in Australia Once the Hornet Industry Coalition Has Developed a Mature Supply Pipeline and Industrial Capacity, and Has Recruited and Trained Additional Skilled Workforce,” the Department’s August 23 Statement Reads, However Australian Aviation Understands the Hornet Industry Coalition May Recommend All Hornet Centre Barrel Replacement Installations Take Place in Canada, Due to the Lack of a Suitably Skilled Workforce and to Avoid the Cost of Tooling Up for the Work.

Phase 3. 2 of Hug Was Described in Detail in the August Edition of Australian Aviation.

More Funding for Raaf Base Upgrades

Raaf Base Pearce Near Perth, Home to 2fts, 79sqn and a Singapore Air Force Training Unit Will Be the Subject of a $142. 2 Million Upgrade, Pending Parliamentary Works Committee Approval.

The Department of Defence Says the “redevelopment Will Include a Combination of New Construction and Refurbishment Works for Engineering Services, a Fuel Farm, Aircraft Hangars, Training and Operational Facilities, a Combined Mess, and Office and Living-in Accommodation. ” Work is Planned to Begin Late This Year or Early 2008, With Completion Expected in Mid 2011.

Parliamentary Approval Has Also Been Given for a $23. 6m Upgrade of Adf Facilities at the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s Butterworth Base, Including Three New Headquarters Buildings.

A Former Raaf Base, Butterworth Remains an Important Staging Post and Logistics Hub for Raaf and Adf Operations in Support of the Five Power Defence Arrangement and Broader Operations in Asia and Beyond.

Work Will Begin in Early 2008 With Completion in Late 2009.

Northrop Grumman Wins Us Navy Ucas Deal

Northrop Grumman Has Won a Potentially Lucrative Contract to Provide the Us Navy With Its Next Generation Strike Aircraft, the Unmanned X-47b.

The Us$635m (a$742m) Contract for the Unmanned Combat Aerial System–development (Ucas-d) Provides for a Six Year Proving Program Culminating in Carrier Operations in 2011. The Usn Will Decide in 2013 on the Viability of the Ucas Concept and, if Successful, Will Award a Production Contract for an Unspecified Number of Aircraft to Complement F/a-18e/f Super Hornets and F-35c Jsfs.

“today’s Announcement is a Significant Milestone Towards Understanding and Mastering Autonomous and Low Observable Flight in the Maritime Environment,” Said Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition Delores Etter.

“this Specific Contract is for Technology Development and Demonstration and Will Not Be an Operational System,” the Us Navy’s Program Manager for Navair’s Technology Demonstration Effort, Captain Rich Brasel, Added. “but Through It, We Will Develop Knowledge, Skills and Technologies Specific to Operating an Autonomous Low-observable Unmanned Air Vehicle in an Aircraft Carrier Environment. ” the X-47b is Loosely Based on the X-47a Pegasus Demonstrator Which Made Several Flights in 2003. The Prototype Was Being Built for the Previous Joint J-ucas Program With the Usaf and Was About 80 Per Cent Complete When That Program Was Cancelled in 2006. Work on the Incomplete Aircraft Was Suspended for Several Months Until the Ucas-d Program Resurrected Northrop Grumman’s and Rival Boeing’s X-45c (Subsequently Re-designed and Renamed X-45n) Programs Late Last Year. Northrop Grumman Has Also Ostensibly Led the Navy Side of the J-ucas Program, Whereas Overall Program Leader Boeing Had Reportedly Been More Focussed on the Usaf Requirement.

Boeing, Which Successfully Flew Two X-45a Development Aircraft From Edwards Afb Early in the J-ucas Program, May Consider Appealing the Decision, a Process Which May Lead to the Competition Being Re-bid as Was the Case With the Usaf’s Csar-x Program. Certainly, Once Orders for the Super Hornet Dry Up, Boeing Will Not Have a Combat Aircraft in Production Unless It Wins the Usaf Long Range Strike (Lrs) Bomber Program Early Next Decade.

Meanwhile, the X-47b is Destined to Become the First Tail-less, Low Observable and Unmanned Aircraft to Operate From an Aircraft Carrier. The Aircraft Will Be Powered by a Non-afterburning Version of the P&w F100 Turbofan, and Will Have an Unrefueled Combat Range of Up to 3500nm (6000km) With a 3000kg Payload.

Raaf Targeting Laser Shone on Civvy Cars the Raaf Was in Damage Control in Early August Week After It Revealed a Williamtown-based F/a-18 Hornet Had Inadvertently Shone a New Litening at Target Designation Laser on Civilian Traffic Near Forster on the Nsw North Coast.

The New Targeting Pod, Acquired Recently Under Phase 2. 4 of the Air 5376 Hornet Upgrade Program, Was Thought to Have Been in “training Mode” While the Pilot Practiced Acquiring Vehicles Near an Intersection Near Forster in Late May. However, It Was Subsequently Found That the Laser Actually Activated Twice for a Total of 43 Seconds, With One Vehicle Being Designated and Another Eight Vehicles Passing Near to the Laser ‘spot’.

Although the Powerful Laser is Not Considered ‘eye-safe’, the Raaf Says It is Unlikely Anyone Was Injured by the Laser. “air Force Commissioned an Investigation Which Has Concluded That the Likelihood of Anyone Being Injured in This Incident is Remote,” the Raaf’s Director General Capability Planning and Former Commander of Air Combat Group, Aircdre Geoff Brown Said in a Statement. “this is Based on Advice From Several Experienced Aviation Medical Specialists in Australia and Overseas. ” Australian Aviation Understands That Elements of the Pod’s Manual Pertaining to Operating It in ‘safe Mode’ May Not Have Been Updated After a Recent Upgrade to the Pod, and That Other Operators of the System May Also Not Have Been Aware of This Oversight and May Have Been Actually Lasing When They Thought They Were Operating in Safe Mode.

Adf Targets Gap Year Students Despite Adding Record Numbers of New Recruits to the Adf in the Past Financial Year, the Prime Minister Has Announced the Adf Will Target Students Who Take a ‘gap Year’ Between High School and Follow-on Tertiary Education.

Following on From a Similar Announcement by Defence Minister Dr Brendan Nelson Last Year and Provisions Made in May’s Federal Budget, Prime Minister Howard Says the Gap Year Recruitment Drive Would Offer Some of the Estimated 34,000 Students Who Take a Gap Year an Opportunity to “try Before You Buy” the Military as a Possible Future Career, Saying It “represents a Unique Opportunity to Undertake Training, Acquire Transferable Skills, Gain Independence, Maturity and Become Self-reliant, All While Being Paid. ” However, Some Adf Members Are Less Than Optimistic That the Program Will Be a Success, Privately Telling Australian Aviation That They Have Barely Enough Resources to Train Their Own Personnel Let Alone a New Influx of Trainees Who Will Only Be There for a Short Time.

Few Details on the Type of Training the Gap Year Students Would Receive Has Been Revealed, Particularly in Regards to the Raaf, With the August 9 Statement Only Saying “participants Will Be Exposed to a Range of Officer and Airman Employment Categories. ”

Typhoons to War? The Raf is Reportedly Preparing to Deploy a Squadron of Eurofighter Typhoon Fighters to Afghanistan Next Year After the First Multi-role Configured Aircraft Were Delivered to the Raf’s 11sqn Recently.

The New Aircraft Are the First Operational Jets to Be Configured With a Strike Capability Using Sniper Targeting Pods and 500kg Paveway Iv Laser Guided Bombs, as Well as Maintaining Their Air-to-air Capability. The Aircraft Are Expected to Be Slotted Into Nato’s Deployment Schedule for Rotation to Afghanistan Next July, and Will Likely Be Based at Kandahar in the Country’s South.

Usn Develops P-3c Based Jstars the Us Navy Has Secretly Developed a P-3c Orion-based System Similar to the Usaf’s E-8 Jstars.

The Aircraft is Fitted With a Littoral Surveillance Radar System (Lsrs) Comprising an an/aps-149 Active Electronically Scanned Array (Aesa) Radar in a Long Canoe-shaped Fairing Under the Fuselage Which is Able to Track Vehicles and Small Boats in the Littoral Environment, as Well as Cue and Guide Gps-guided Weapons Such as the Agm-84k Slam-er.

The Eight Unmarked Aircraft Are Believed to Have Been Tested Operationally in the Middle East.

Military Briefs

* Australia Will Reportedly Join With the Us on a Global Military Satellite Communications System. The Us Will Soon Launch the First of Six Wideband Global Satcom Satellites, With Australia Reportedly Considering Whether to Fund One of the Satellites in Exchange for Access to All Six. The New System Will Replace the Current Singtel/optus C1 Satellite Which is Partially Owned by the Singapore Government.

* the First Kc-767 Tanker Destined for Japan Has Returned to Flight After Four Months of Modifications Designed to Allow It to Commence Certification Testing Which Has Been Requested by Japan. Japan Has Insisted on Full Faa Certification of the Aircraft, but an Obscure Air Circulation Valve Which Regulates Air Flow and Pressurisation Reportedly Does Not Meet Faa Specifications.

* Final Assembly of the First Airbus A400m Transport, Msn001, Has Commenced in San Pablo, Seville, in Spain. Eads Has Revealed the First Flight of Its A400m Airlifter Has Been Delayed by Several Months to Mid Next Year. The Delay Has Been Attributed to “material Risks” and “system Provider . . . Challenges. ”

* Northrop Grumman Has Announced That It Has Completed a Transaction Increasing Its Ownership in Scaled Composites From Approximately 40 Percent to 100 Percent.

* the General Atomics Predator a Fleet Has Clocked Up Its 300,000th Flight Hour During a Recent Operational Flight in Iraq. General Atomics Says More Than 80 Per Cent of This Total Has Been Achieved in Combat.

* Tenix Aerospace and Defence Has Partnered With L-3 Integrated Systems Group to Submit a Joint Proposal to the Australian Government for the Through Life Support of the Raaf’s C-130j Transport Fleet. L-3’s Spar Aerospace Division of Edmonton, Canada, Would Perform the Work.

* Boeing and L-3 Communications Have Handed Over Canada’s First Phase Ii Upgraded Cf-18 Hornet, Featuring a Helmet Mounted Sight, Colour Cockpit Displays and New Chaff and Flare Dispensing System. 79 Cf-18s Will Undergo the Upgrade at L-3’s Mirabel, Quebec Facility by March 2010.

* a Raaf 6sqn F-111 Made an Emergency Landing at Brisbane Airport on August 13 After a Cockpit Warning Light Illuminated.

* Raytheon Has Been Awarded a Us$24. 4m (a$28. 5m) Contract to Provide Alr-67(V)3 Digital Radar Warning Receivers for the Raaf’s 24 F/a-18f Super Hornets on Order. The Alr-67(V)3 is Also on Order as Part of the Project Air 5376 Phase 2. 3 to Upgrade the Raaf’s Existing F/a-18a/b Hornets.

* Lockheed Martin Has Been Awarded a Us$2. 44bn (a$2. 85bn) Contract for the Second Block of Low Rate Initial Production (Lrip Ii) Lot of Six F-35a Ctol and Six F-35b Stovl Aircraft for the Usaf and Us Marine Corp Respectively for Delivery in 2009/10. The Contract Award Allays Fears of a Delay to the Program Because of Reduced Lrip Production Numbers.

* in What Was a Good Month for Lockheed Martin, the Company Was Also Awarded a Us$5bn (a$5. 85bn) Contract for the Multi-year Production of the Final Three Lots of F-22a Raptor Fighter for the Usaf, Totalling 60 Aircraft. This Contract Will See Production Run Until 2011 and the Final of 183 F-22s the Usaf Has on Order.

* Boeing Has Reportedly Been Lobbying the Pentagon to Reopen Its Standoff Missile Program and to Either Consider Opening for Competition the Production of the Troubled Agm-158 Jassm in an Effort to Address Reliability Issues, or to Take a Second Look at Boeing’s Own Agm-84h Slam-er Missile as an Alternative.

* Delivery of India’s New Aircraft Carrier, the Former Russian Carrier ‘admiral Gorshkov’, Has Reportedly Been Delayed by Three Years to 2011 Following Delays in Its Refurbishment and the Sacking of the Program’s Project Leader. India Has Ordered 16 and Taken Options on a Further 30 Mig-29k/kub Fighter to Equip the Carrier. The Carrier Was to Have Replaced the Ins Viraat, the Former Hms Hermes, in 2008.

* the Spanish Air Force Has Ordered Two More Eads Casa C-295 Transports to Add to the 11 It Already Has in Service or on Order. The C-295 is One of Two Options Being Considered by the Adf to Replace the Raaf’s Caribou Tactical Transports Under Project Air 8000 Phase 2.

* the First of Three Development Northrop Grumman E-2d Advanced Hawkeye Aew&c Aircraft for the Us Navy Made Its Maiden Flight on August 3. The E-2d Features a New Apy-9 Radar With Cruise and Ballistic Missile Defence Capabilities, Advanced Sensor Fusion and Datalinks. Up to 75 E-2ds Will Be Acquired in the Next Decade.

* Turkey Has Ordered Korean Aerospace Industries (Kai) 40 Kt-1 Trainers to Replace Its Fleet of Cessna T-37s. Deliveries Are Due to Commence Next Year.

* Boeing Has Announced It Has Brought Spirit Aerosystems Into Its P-8a Poseidon Industry Team. Spirit Will Manufacture the P-8’s Fuselage, Tail Sections and Struts in Wichita, Kansas.

* Thailand Has Bought a Lockheed Martin Tps-77 Long-range, Air Surveillance Radar. The Tps-77 is Also Used by the Raaf.

Airlines

First Embraer for Virgin Blue Virgin Blue Took Delivery of Its First Embraer E-170 78-seat Regional Jet at a Ceremony at Embraer’s São José Dos Campos Facility in Brazil on September 3.

The Aircraft is the First of 20 E-jets Destined for the Airline Comprising Six E-170s and 14 Larger 104-seat E-190s, the Initial Orders for Which Were Placed in November Last Year. The 170s Will Initially Be Employed Conservatively as the Airline’s Experience With the Type Builds Up Before Being Employed on Some New Regional and Existing Thinner Sectors on the Airline’s Network. The Larger 190s, the First of Which is Due to Be Delivered in April Next Year, Will Likely Be Employed on Many of the Thinner Sectors Currently Serviced by Boeing 737-700s.

“today’s Delivery of the First E-jet Heralds the Beginning of New and Exciting Developments for the Australian Aviation Market,” Virgin Blue’s Ceo, Brett Godfrey Said. “the Embraer E-jets Are Ideally Suited to Our Direction, the Needs of Air Travellers, and the Geography of Air Routes in Our Part of the World. From a Guest Point of View, These Are Highest Performance Jets – Sleek, Comfortable and Spacious – That Australian Air Travellers Will Experience for the First Time. We Can’t Wait to Introduce the Aircraft to Virgin Blue Guests in the Coming Weeks. ” Virgin Blue Will Reportedly Operate Its First Embraer 170 E-jets on Services From Brisbane to Canberra and Cairns. Schedules Recently Loaded Into Virgin Blue’s Booking System Show the E-170s First Being Used for a Fourth Daily Brisbane-canberra Service, Then Being Used for Additional Brisbane-cairns Services.

The First Aircraft Will Be Taking a Circuitous Delivery Route Around the Northern Pacific Ocean Through the Us, Russia and Asia, and is Due to Arrive in Australia by Mid Next Week.

Qantas Expands in the West

Qantas Has Announced an Expansion of Its Services to and Within Western Australia.

From Early 2009, the Airline Will Exclusively Operate Twin-aisle 767s and A330s on Services From Perth to Sydney and Melbourne, Replacing 737s Which Currently Operate Some of These Services. The Move Will Add Nearly 12,000 Seats a Year on the Sector, an Increase of Nearly 25 Per Cent.

“We Believe Our All Widebody Service on These Key Trans-continental Business Routes Will Ensure Qantas is Offering the Capacity, Frequency, and Comfort Appropriate for the Market,” Executive General Manager John Borghetti Said. “This Decision is a Sign of Our Commitment to Western Australia, Which is One of the Biggest Growth Markets in Australia. ” Additionally, the Airline Plans to Add Additional 737 and 717 Services on Routes Within the State, With Five Additional 737 Services Between Perth and the Booming Resource Centre of Karratha, the Replacement of 717s With 737s on Five Weekly Services to Port Hedland, Three Additional 717 Services From Perth to Broome, and Two Extra 717 Services to Newman.

Borghetti Also Said That International Services to Perth From Hong Kong Currently Operated by 767s Will Be Upgraded to A330 Aircraft From Next January.

Skywest Comes East

Perth Based Skywest Has Announced It Will Commence Services Between Kalgoorlie and Melbourne From November 21.

The Sectors Will Be Flown by 100-seat Fokker 100s and Will Operate Three Times a Week, and Will Be Primarily Targeted at Business Passengers From the Mining and Resource Sectors. “kalgoorlie Has Not Had a Direct Air Service

Virgin Blue took delivery of its first Embraer E-170 78-seat regional jet at a ceremony at Embraer’s São José dos Campos facility in Brazil on September 3.

The aircraft is the first of 20 E-Jets destined for the airline comprising six E‑170s and 14 larger 104-seat E-190s, the initial orders for which were placed in November last year. The 170s will initially be employed conservatively as the airline’s experience with the type builds up before being employed on some new regional and existing thinner sectors on the airline’s network. The larger 190s, the first of which is due to be delivered in April next year, will likely be employed on many of the thinner sectors currently serviced by Boeing 737-700s. “Today’s delivery of the first E-Jet heralds the beginning of new and exciting developments for the Australian aviation market,” Virgin Blue’s CEO, Brett Godfrey said. “The Embraer E-Jets are ideally suited to our direction, the needs of air travellers, and the geography of air routes in our part of the world. From a guest point of view, these are highest performance jets – sleek, comfortable and spacious – that Australian air travellers will experience for the first time. We can’t wait to introduce the aircraft to Virgin Blue guests in the coming weeks. ” Virgin Blue will reportedly operate its first Embraer 170 E-Jets on services from Brisbane to Canberra and Cairns. Schedules recently loaded into Virgin Blue’s booking system show the E-170s first being used for a fourth daily Brisbane- Canberra service, then being used for additional Brisbane-Cairns services.

Virgin Blue’s recent opening of a ‘The Lounge’ at Canberra Airport suggests Virgin Blue may also be considering using the E-Jets for a new assault on the Canberra-Sydney route.

The first aircraft, VH‑ZHA, took a circuitous delivery route around the northern Pacific Ocean through the US, Russia and Asia, arriving in Brisbane on September 11.

Link to Melbourne, and We Believe That the Skywest Service Will Be Eagerly Utilised by a Number of Mining and Corporate Organisations Based in Both Kalgoorlie and Melbourne,” Skywest Ceo Paul Daff Said.

“it Also Will Facilitate Convenient Access to Melbourne for Kalgoorlie Residents; and Help Stimulate Tourism Into Kalgoorlie From the East Coast. ”

Pacific Blue Goes Domestic

Virgin Blue’s New Zealand Based Subsidiary Pacific Blue is to Launch Domestic New Zealand Services From November 15, Initially Operating 10 Flights a Day on the Key Trunk Routes Auckland-wellington, Auckland-christchurch and Wellington-christchurch.

Pacific Blue Was Launched in 2003 With Promises of Flying Domestically in New Zealand as Well as Trans-tasman and Pacific Island Services, but Has Resisted Operating in the Nz Domestic Market Until Now.

“we Are Confident the Circumstances Are Now Right and There is Room for Competition and an Obvious Need for Market Stimulation,” Virgin Blue Ceo Brett Godfrey Said on August 23. “pacific Blue is Well Positioned to Give the Existing Players a Good Run for Their Money, Particularly on the Monopolistic Wellington-christchurch Route. ” Pacific Blue is Offering Promotional Nz$39 Fares on Each of Its Three Routes, and Promises Ongoing Auckland Wellington and Wellington Christchurch Fares of Nz$69 and Auckland-christchurch Fares of Nz$79. Air New Zealand and Qantas Subsequently Moved to Match Pacific Blue’s Fare Offerings.

Two New Leased Boeing 737-800s Will Join Pacific Blue’s Fleet for the New Zealand Domestic Plus Its International Services.

Air New Zealand Dominates the Nz Domestic Market, With Qantas Now Only Primarily Operating Auckland-wellington and Auckland-christchurch Services After Recently Dropping Christchurch-wellington Services (It Also Operates Limited Services to Rotorua and Queenstown).

“Like Qantas, What Pacific Blue is Proposing is Really a Bare Minimum, With a Domestic Service Which is Primarily There to Support Their Trans-tasman Business,” Forsyth Barr Aviation Analyst Rob Mercer Told the ‘sunday Star Times’ Newspaper. “Like Qantas, You’d Have to Say It’s a Presence, but Not Yet a Really Significant Business. ” Pacific Blue Currently Operates Trans-tasman Flights From Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and Pacific Island Flights From Australia and New Zealand.

For Its Part Qantas Low Cost Subsidiary Jetstar Currently Rules Out Domestic New Zealand Services.

“jetstar Would Never Rule Out Consideration of Domestic Nz Operations However Our Existing Primary Focus for Our Nz Operations – Currently 28 Per Week Return Trans Tasman Services Ex Christchurch to Four Australian Destinations – Remains Assessing the Scope of More Sustainable Growth of Trans Tasman Flying,” Said Spokesman Simon Westaway.

Rex to Port Lincoln 114 Times a Week

Regional Express Will Increase Its Adelaide-port Lincoln Services to 114 a Week From September 10 With the Addition of a Further Six Flights Per Week, the Airline Announced on August 27.

The New Flights Follow the Signing of a Partnership Agreement Between the District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula and Rex in June to Jointly Invest in Further Growing the Passenger Market on the Adelaide-port Lincoln Route, Following Which Rex Immediately Based an Additional Saab in South Australia.

“we Entered Into the Partnership With the District Council With the Specific Aim of Providing More Services and More Passengers Through Their Airport. This Increase in Flights is Clear Evidence of the Merits of the Partnership and the Benefits It Brings to the Community Stakeholders,” Said Rex Managing Director Geoff Breust.

“it is Quite Incredible That a Relatively Small Community With a Population of Just Over 15,000 Can Support an Air Service of This Magnitude. ” Rex Has Also Announced at Additional Saturday Return Flight From Adelaide to Mount Gambier, Taking Its Weekly Flights on the Route to 64.

Sia Sets A380 Service Date Singapore Airlines Plans to Operate the World’s First A380 Commercial Service on Thursday October 25, When Sq380 Will Operate From Singapore to Sydney, With the Return Flight to Singapore Operating the Following Day.

Singapore Airlines Says Its First A380 Will Be Handed Over at a Ceremony at Airbus’s Toulouse, France, Factory on Monday October 15. A Few Days Later the Aircraft Will Fly to Singapore for Training and Familiarisation Flights, Before Service Entry on the 25th.

Singapore Airlines Has Also Revealed Its A380s Will Be Configured to Seat 470 Passengers in Three Classes. The Airline Has Revealed Few Other Details About the A380’s Interiors, Other Than to Claim That Its New First Class Suites Will Be “a Product That Totally Redefines Luxury in the Sky”. Qantas Revealed Last Month Its A380s Would Be Configured With 450 Seats in Four Classes.

Seats on the Historic Flight Will Be Auctioned Off on Ebay From August 27, With Proceeds Donated to Charity.

Sia Plans to Use Its First A380 on Flights to Sydney, While Its Second Aircraft, Due for Delivery Next January, Will Allow It to Begin Operating Flights to London Heathrow. The Airline’s Third and Fourth A380s Are Due for Delivery by Next June.

Airbus Says Initial Deliveries of A380s to Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Qantas Are “well on Track”.

Gold Coast for Airasia X

Airasia Founder and Ceo Tony Fernandes Has Revealed That the Gold Coast Will Be the First Destination for the Airline’s New Long Haul Division, Airasia X, With Flights to Begin in Late September or Early October This Year.

Airasia X Plans to Fly to the Gold Coast Four Times a Week, With Fares Ranging From Rm90 (a$32) Promotional Fares to an Average of Rm1900 (a$678).

Earlier in August Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group Announced Plans to Acquire a 20 Per Cent Stake in Airasia X for an Unreported Sum. Virgin Group Also Owns 25 Per Cent of Virgin Blue, With Sir Richard Saying Cooperation Between the Two Airlines Was Likely.

“Airasia X Aims to Dramatically Expand the Market for Long Haul, Value Based Travel, Both Leisure and Business Related, and Reinforce Malaysia’s Status as a Low Cost Aviation Pioneer, Through Achieving an Industry Leading Cost Per Ask of Less Than 2. 0 Us Cents,” Fernandes Said of the Tie-up With Virgin. “airasia X Will Simplify the Current Long Haul Product and Provide Highly Affordable, Value-for-money Travel Without Sacrificing Core Passenger Comforts Essential Over Longer Flight Times. ” Airasia X Has 15 A330-300s on Firm Order, With Another to Be Leased, Into Which It Will Pack 400 Economy Class Seats. It Plans to Operate to a Range of Destinations Over Four Hours Flying Time From Its Kuala Lumpur Base, Including to China, Japan and London Stanstead.

777-300ers for Air Nz Air New Zealand Ordered Four and Took Options on a Further Three Boeing 777-300ers on August 3.

The Aircraft Are the Conversion of Options It Was Holding Following Its Previous Acquisition of Eight 777-200ers, and Will Be Used to Replace Its 747-400s When They’re Delivered From 2010.

“these New -300ers Will Help Us Build on the Success We’ve Had With Our Existing 777s,” Air Nz Ceo Rob Fyfe Said in a Statement. “there’s No Doubting the 777’s Passenger Appeal, and Its Fuel Efficiency is a Very Good Fit With Our Very Strong Commitment to the Environment. ” Apart From the 777-200ers, the New Aircraft Will Also Complement the Airline’s Forthcoming Eight 787-9s, While Its Five 767-300ers and Eight 747-400s Are Expected to Be Phased Out by 2012.

“air New Zealand Was One of the First to Recognise the Economic Benefits of 777/787 Mixed Fleet Operations and We Believe That by Giving Passengers What They Want – Non-stop Flights in Modern Planes,” Said Boeing’s Vp Asia Pacific Sales Stan Deal.

Qantas – Australia’s Asian Airline? Maybe There’s a Subtext to the New Qantas Titles – to Some Observers the Custom Designed Italicised Font Looks Asian in Nature.

The Day After Qantas Had Finalised Its First Equity Stake in Vietnam’s Pacific Airlines, Qantas’s Ceo Spoke Enthusiastically About Qantas’s Growth Opportunities in Asia, and His Airline Group’s “limited Window” to Become a Key Player in the World’s Fastest Growing Airline Market.

“within the Next Three Years, the Asia Pacific Will Be the Largest Single Market, Focused Around China and India,” Ceo Geoff Dixon Said on August 1. “this is an Historic Opportunity for Qantas. We Have a Small Timeslot – Just a Few Years I Imagine – to Make Ourselves an Indispensable Part of This Growth Story. ” but While the New Qantas’s Font Looks Slightly Asian, It Will Be Jetstar That is the Key Vehicle for the Airline’s Expansion. Already Qantas Owns 49 Per Cent of Singapore Based Jetstar Asia, and Has Taken an Initial 20 Per Cent Stake in Pacific Airlines, One of Just Two Airlines Able to Operate Domestically in Vietnam, Another Likely Wearer of the Jetstar Brand. And Jetstar International Flies Into Several Asian Destinations, Including Ho Chi Minh City, With Many More Likely.

“jetstar is Going to Be the Key Vehicle for Qantas’s Plans in Asia, a Market Where the New Paradigm is Most Obvious and Where We Must Find New Ways to Grow,” Dixon Said. “jetstar Will Work Closely With Our Asia Based Investment Partners, the Singapore Based Low Cost Intra-asia Airlines Jetstar Asia and Valuair, and Pacific Airlines in Vietnam’s Fast Growing Aviation Market of 85 Million People. ” and More Acquisitions and Equity Partnerships in Asia Seem Likely. “we Are Looking to Take Advantage of Other Attractive Opportunities for Growth in Asia – Organically, via Acquisitions, or Through Partnerships – to Ensure We Merit a Chapter in What Will Undoubtedly Be the Biggest Aviation Story of the Next 20 Years. ”

Qantas to Keep Control of Spinoffs Qantas Ceo Geoff Dixon Told the National Aviation Press Club on August 1 That Any ‘spun Off’ Elements of the Company’s Business Under a Reported Massive Planned Restructure Would Remain in the Airline’s Control.

Dixon Said It Was Still Too Early to Speculate on What Parts of the Business Such as the Frequent Flyer Program, Catering, Cargo or Even the Aircraft Fleet Itself, Would Be Sold Off, but Was Adamant That the Airline Would Not Be Left as a Shell or as a Company in Name Only.

“There Are a Range of Options and We’re Looking at All the Options,” He Said. “certainly the Management of Qantas and, I Believe the Board of Qantas, Have a Strong Belief That the Sum of the Parts Will Be Worth More Than What the Market Has Attributed to the Company Over Recent Years. There’s Not an Asset in Qantas at the Moment That’s Not Paying Its Way. ” Dixon Suggested More Would Be Revealed at the Airline’s Annual Results Release Later This Month.

Jetstar Rates in World Airline Survey Jetstar Has Been Awarded the Title of World’s Best Low Cost Airline in the Annual Skytrax World Airline Survey for 2006.

The Survey, Which is Conducted With 14 Million Passengers Over 11 Months at Airports Around the World and is Regarded as One of the Most Prestigious, Found Jetstar Came Out on Top in Not Only the World’s Best Low Cost Airline, but Also the Best Low Cost Airline – Australia/pacific, and Best Cabin Staff – Australia/new Zealand.

Other Winners Were Singapore Airlines Which Won the Airline of the Year; Malaysia Airlines Which Won Best Cabin Staff; Emirates Which Has the Best Inflight Entertainment; the Star Alliance Which Has the Best Airline Alliance; and Qantas Which Was Voted the Best Transpacific Airline as Well as the Fifth Best Airline Overall.

Rex to Queensland

Regional Express is Taking Its First Tentative Steps Into Queensland, Announcing It Will Launch Services From Brisbane to Maryborough From October 7.

Rex Will Operate 36 Services a Week on the Currently Unserved Route, With Three Return Services Each Week Day, Saturday Morning and Evening, and Sunday Afternoon and Evening Flights.

Jetstar Fights Back Jetstar’s Australian Operation is to Take Over the Airline’s Cairns-darwin-singapore Service Currently Operated by Jetstar Asia From February.

The Daily Cairns-darwin-singapore Service Will Go Head-to-head With Tiger Airways Once That Airline Extends Into the Australian Domestic Market From Late October. The Move Will See Five Jetstar Crews Positioned in Cairns Which, on Top of 70 Additional Cabin Crew Positions to Support Jetstar’s International Services to Japan Which Commenced on August 1, Renews the Qantas Group’s Commitment to the City Following the Winding Down of Australian Airlines Operations Last Year.

Jetstar’s Australian A320s Have Fewer Seats and More Leg Room Than in Jetstar Asia’s Aircraft.

Qantas Fuel Surcharges Up Qantas Announced on August 1 That It Would Increase Its Fuel Surcharges on All International Services From August 9.

Surcharges on Services to the Uk and Europe Rose $15 to $185; to the Us, Canada, South America, South Africa and India, Surcharges Rose From $133 to $145; to Asian, Pacific and Hawaiian Destinations, Surcharges Are Up $5 to $105; and to New Zealand, Also Up $5 to $60.

“despite Our Robust Fuel Hedging Policy and Surcharges, We Are Nowhere Near Covering the Additional Cost to Our Business of the High Fuel Prices,” Ceo Geoff Dixon Said in a Statement. “along With Most Airlines, Qantas Has Been Closely Monitoring the Upward Movement in Oil and Jet Fuel Prices Over Recent Months, and With Singapore Jet Fuel Now Nearly Us$90 a Barrel, We Have Adjusted Our International Surcharges to or Below Their August 2006 Levels. ” There Have Been No Changes to Australian and New Zealand Domestic Fuel Surcharges.

Jetstreams for Brindabella Canberra Based Brindabella Airlines Has Announced It is Acquiring Two 30-seat Jetstream 41s.

The First Aircraft is Due to Be Delivered in October and Enter Service the Following Month on Brindabella’s Newcastle to Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Brisbane Route. The Second is Scheduled to Start on the Canberra and Newcastle Route in February 2008. Jetstream 41s Were Last Operated in Australia by Impulse in the Late 1990s.

“after Extensive Research the J41 Was the Obvious Choice for Our Company Due to Passenger Comfort, Proven Reliability and Fantastic Fuel Efficiency,” Said Jeff Boyd, Brindabella Airlines Ceo.

Brindabella Currently Operates Metros on Its Rpt Services.

Airline Briefs

* Qantas Has Commenced a Codeshare Agreement With Darwin Based Airnorth on Services From Kununurra to Darwin, Broome and Perth. The Services is Operated by Airnorth’s New Embraer 170 and Commenced on September 3. Qantas Says It Will Also Codeshare on Airnorth’s Services Between Darwin and Bali From October 17 on Two Return Services Per Week.

* Rex Has Announced It Will Increase Its Services From Adelaide to Whyalla When O’connor Airlines Withdraws From the Route on September 10. Rex Says It Will Add 200 Seats to the Route, or Three Return Flights Per Week, Taking Its Total Weekly Services Between the Two Cities to 68.

* Rex Has Also Added Additional Services to Port Lincoln and Mount Gambier From Adelaide From September 10, Including Six Additional Flights Per Week to Port Lincoln, and One Extra Return Service to Mount Gambier, to Be Operated on Saturdays.

* Virgin Blue Has Opened a ‘the Lounge’ at Canberra Airport in the Former Ansett Golden Wing Lounge, the Fifth Such Venue in Australia. The Lounge is Located Adjacent to Gate 5 at Canberra, and is Accessible to Lounge Members, Corporate Plus Fare Holders, Velocity Gold Tier Members, and Single-entry Visit Guests. It Features Various Business Facilities Including Meeting Rooms, Computers, and Free Wifi Access, as Well as Australia’s First Airline Lounge Barista Service and Various Snack Menu Items.

* National Jet Systems Pilots Employed to Operate Qantaslink Services in South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory Have Voted to Take Industrial Action After National Jet Reportedly Refused to Allow Them to Negotiate a Collective Agreement. The Company is Facing a Hearing in Perth in October Over Allegations That It Forced Two Pilots to Sign Workplace Agreements and Complaints by More Than 30 Pilots That They Have Been Underpaid.

* Victoria’s Sharp Airlines Has Announced It is Now Offering Five Additional Direct Weekly Return Services on Weekdays Between Melbourne/essendon and Portland to Add to Its Recently Introduced Saturday Service. The Service is Operated by a Metroliner.

* Viva Macau Commenced Services Between Sydney and Macau on August 23 After the August 16 Start Date Was Pushed Back a Week Due to Delays in Obtaining Its International Aoc From Casa. The Three Times a Week Service is Operated by a Two-class 767-200.

* Australia and South Korea Have Announced an Expanded Air Services Agreement. The New Agreement Will See Korean Carriers Initially Allowed to Offer Up to 8500 Seats Each Way Per Week to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, Up From the Previous 7500, While Capacity to Other Australian Airports is Unrestricted. Australian Airlines Will Be Able to Operate the Same Number of Seats to Korea, and All Previous Restrictions on Cargo Services Have Been Removed.

* Airasia Has Announced That It Plans to Move Into the Rapidly Growing Vietnamese Market by Establishing a Low Cost Offshoot in That Country.

* British Airways Has Unveiled Its New Business Class Club World Product at an Event in Sydney. The New Seats Recently Debuted on Australian Services, Are 25 Per Cent Wider Than the Old Product, and Offer Larger Privacy Screens and Increased Storage Space. The New Club World Also Features an Enhanced Entertainment System, a Laptop Locker, in-seat Power Sockets, and a Club Kitchen Snack Bar.

* Qantas Has Reported Its Foreign Shareholding Has Been Further Reduced to Just 41. 75 Per Cent of Its Stock Following Its Most Recent Reconciliation of the Company’s Share Register.

* Singapore Airlines and Sydney Airport Have Erected a Billboard Near the Entrance to the Airport’s International Terminal Which Will Soon Display a Countdown to the Arrival of the Airline’s First Scheduled A380 Passenger Service in October.

* Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines Says It’s Considering Converting Its Five Airbus A340-500s to an All-business Class Configuration for the Airline’s Non-stop Trans-pacific Services From Singapore to Los Angeles and New York. The Aircraft Are Currently Configured With 181-seats and Offer the Airline’s Only Executive Economy Product.

* Virgin America Successfully Launched the Airline on August 8 With the Almost Simultaneous Arrival in San Francisco of Its First Two Scheduled Services From Los Angeles and New York Jfk.

* Queensland Regional Macair Has Renewed Its Fly–in/fly-out (Fifo) Contract With Osborne Mines. The Mine is Located 170km From Mount Isa and Macair Has Carried More Than 125,000 of Its Employees Since Gaining He Contract in 1995.

* Air New Zealand is Reportedly Studying the Concept of Offering Stacked Lie-flat Sleeping Pods Instead of Conventional Seats in Economy Class for Long Haul Services With Its New Boeing 787-9s and 777-300ers From 2010.

* Emirates Last Week Celebrated the Fifth Anniversary of Its First Service to Perth. The Airline Initially Operated Four Services a Week in 2002, and Has Grown That to a Twice Daily Service Since September Last Year.

* Jetstar Supported World Vision’s 40 Hour Famine Fundraising Efforts by Making a Donation Equivalent to All Profits From Any Inflight Food and Drink Sales on All of Its 1100 Daily Domestic and International Flights for the 40 Hours of the Famine, Which Began at 8pm on Friday August 17.

* Jetstar Has Withdrawn Its Melbourne to Honolulu Service From Sale After Reportedly Poor Uptake for the Service. Travel Agents Report the Airline Will Offer Additional Services to Honolulu From Sydney From Late October.

* Air North Has Stepped in to Cover Services Between Darwin and Bali Following the Withdrawal of Qantas From the Route From October. The Services Will Run Twice a Week and Be Operated by Air North’s New Embraer 170.

* Virgin Blue Has Teamed With Major Cruise Lines to Offer Online Fly/cruise Packages. The “one-stop” Website Links Virgin Blue and Partner Airlines With Most of the World’s Major Cruise Lines Including Captain Cook, P&o, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Cunard.

* on Top of Announcing Increased Services to Melbourne and Adelaide in Late July, Cathay Pacific Will Also Increase Its Services to Perth From Late October. The Airline Will Have Five Weekly Services Between Perth and Hong Kong, and These Will Be Re-timed to Better Connect With Onward Services From Hong Kong.

* Papua New Guinea’s Airlink Has Been Forced to Shut Down After Being Grounded by Png’s Caa Earlier This Year. Airline Owner and Local Politician Mal Smith-kela Told the National Newspaper That the Shutdown Was in the Best Interests of the Company.

* Air India Has Taken Delivery of Its First of Four Ultra-long Range Boeing 777-200lrs. The Aircraft Are Configured in a Three-class, 238 Seat Layout, and Will Be Employed on Air India’s New Mumbai to New York Jfk Service Which Was Launched on August 1. Meanwhile, Air India and Indian Airlines Formally Merged on Friday August 24. Merged Into the National Aviation Company of India, the New Airline Will Operate Under the Air India Brand. The Combined Entity Has a Fleet of 112 Aircraft and 34,000 Employees.

* Japan and South Korea Have Reached an Open Skies Agreement Which Will Lift Restrictions on Frequency, Capacity and Destinations Except at Tokyo’s Congested Haneda and Narita Airports.

Airports

Melbourne’s Upgrade Plans

Melbourne Airport Has Announced $330 Million Plans for a Series of Projects for Its International Terminal Which Combined Will Comprise the Largest Upgrade of the Terminal Since the Airport’s Construction.

The First Project Will Be a New Outbound Passenger Security Screening and Customs Processing Zone. Other Work Will Include: Space for Two A380 Baggage Carousels, With a 50 Per Cent Increase in Baggage Delivery Rates; a New 7000sq M Passenger Concourse With Five New Aircraft Parking Bays, Including Three Gates With Dual-level Aerobridges Capable of Handling One A380 or Two Smaller Aircraft; and a New International Passenger Precinct and a Major Redevelopment of Existing Facilities Which Will Result in 5000 Sq M of Passenger Lounge and Shopping Space.

Melbourne Airport Says Construction Will Begin in November, With the Various Projects Phased Over the Next Five Years, Minimising Passenger Disruption.

Record Pax for Perth

Perth Airport Has Announced a 13 Per Cent Increase in Passenger Numbers Passing Through Its Terminals for the 2006/07 Financial Year.

The Airport Says New Airlines, Increased Services, Improved Terminal Facilities and the Booming Wa Resources Sector All Contributed to Passenger Numbers Increasing to Over 8 Million for the Year. Some 8,089,517 Passengers Used Perth Airport for the Year, Up From 7,134,880 in ’05/06.

“demand for Air Services in Wa Continues to Steadily Increase and is Being Driven by the State’s Strong Economic Growth and the Increased Awareness in Wa as a Holiday Destination” Perth Airport Ceo Brad Greatches Said. “travel in and Out of the State Has Also Been Boosted by Increased Services and New Airlines, Such as Ozjet and Low Cost Entrant Tiger Airways, Which Provide More Options for Price Conscious Travellers. ” Domestic Passenger Traffic Increased by Almost 15 Per Cent for the Year, With International Numbers Up Almost 10 Per Cent. The Airport Expects It Will Have Been the Fastest Growing Australian Airport for ’06/07, Once All Airports Release Traffic Figures for the Year.

“we Have Recognised the Need to Bring Forward Airport Expansion Plans and Detailed Studies Are Happening Right Now,” Geatches Said.

Meanwhile, Qantas is to Begin Work by the End of the Year on a $50 Million Upgrade of Its Busy Perth Domestic Airport Terminal.

Key Changes Will Include the Construction of a New Aerobridge and Upgrading a Bay to Provide Additional Widebody Aircraft Parking Capacity to Alleviate Peak Period Aircraft Parking Congestion. The Work Will Also Involve: an Expanded Checkin Area With More Quickcheck Kiosks; New Security Screening Area; Expanded Departure Lounge, Upgraded and Expanded Qantas Club; More Checked Bag Screening Facilities and Improved Baggage Handling Capacity; and an Expanded Baggage Claim Area.

Court Action Raises Doubt Over Dubai Auckland Bid Air New Zealand Has Taken Auckland Airport to Court Over the Airport’s Setting of New Prices Including the Replacement of the Airport Development Charge With a Passenger Service Charge Which is Chargeable and Payable by the Airlines.

The Airport Says It “categorically Refutes the Claim and is Firmly of the View That Air New Zealand’s Claim is Without Merit. ” Auckland International Airport Limited (Aial) Has Also Advised That It Has Received a Notice From Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (Dae) Claiming That Legal Moves by Air New Zealand to Seek Judicial Review of the Airport’s Aeronautical Pricing Constitutes a ‘prescribed Occurrence’ Under the Merger Implementation Agreement (Mia) Dated July 22 2007 Between the Parties, and as Such is Reviewing Its Bid for a Stake in the Airport.

Aial is Disputing Dae’s Grounds for the Review.

Airport Briefs

* Adelaide Airport Has Expanded and Relocated Its Long-term Car Parking to What Was Previously Part of the Old Ramp Area Adjacent to the Former Domestic Terminal Building. The Changes Have Seen Available Long Term Parking Rise From 460 to 760 Spaces. Long Term Parking Charges Have Dropped From $80 to $70 for a Week, and From $110 to $85 for 10-days.

* Auckland Airport Has Announced Improvements to Its Parking Arrangements, With Enhancements to Its Short and Long-stay Parking Arrangements Announced, and a New 280-space ‘pickup and Drop Off Carpark’ Established.

* Qantas Has Decided to Discontinue a Trial It Was Conducting at Cairns Airport. The Airline Has Trialed Flying Over the City of Cairns Using Gps-guided Rnp Approaches in an Effort to Reduce Fuel Burn, but It Determined That the Benefits of These Were Outweighed by the Additional Noise Impact the Aircraft Had on City Residents.

* Air New Zealand is Taking Legal Action Against Wellington Airport Over Its Recent Increase in Charges for Using the Airport. The Airline is Challenging the Validity of Wellington’s Consultation With the Airline Which It Says Showed a Predetermination of the Increases Which Are Scheduled to Rise More Than 34 Per Cent Over the Next Five Years.

* Queensland Airports Limited (Qal) Says Almost 470,000 Passengers Used Its Terminals at Gold Coast, Townsville and Mount Isa in the Month of July, Up 3. 2 Per Cent on the Same Month in 2006. 15,873 Passengers Used Mount Isa, Up 17 Per Cent, 131,798 Passed Through Townsville, Up 7. 74 Per Cent. Qal Says Gold Coast Airport Experienced “steady Growth” in July, Without Publishing a Figure.

General Aviation

Old Conquests Grounded

Casa Has Grounded Cessna 441 Conquests With Greater Than 22,500 Flying Hours After Cessna Announced an Unconditional Life Limit for the Nine-seat Twin Turboprop.

“the Manufacturer Says It Cannot Assure the Continued Safety of the Aircraft After the Limit is Reached,” a Casa Statement Reads. “casa’s Direction Means That All Australian Conquests That Have Reached 22,500 Hours Must Be Grounded. ” Casa Says There Are Currently 34 Conquests Flying in Australia, With the Order, Which Took Effect on August 24, Grounding About Half a Dozen of These, Including One Operated on Rpt Services by Mt Gambier’s O’connor Airlines. The Casa Grounding is Valid for One Year, During Which Time Avenues to Extend the Conquest’s Safe Flying Life Will Be Explored.

“cessna Imposed the Life Limit After Reviewing Its Structural Maintenance Program for the Aircraft and Determining That Structural Problems Are Likely to Develop if the Aircraft Continues to Operate,” the Casa Statement Reads. “a Structural Maintenance Program is in Place to Manage the Safety of the Aircraft Up to the 22,500 Life Limit. ”

Skycatcher an Order Magnet

Cessna Says That Orders for Its Newly Launched Two-seat 162 Skycatcher Had Reached 720 Aircraft Worth Over Us$75m (a$94m) by August 9.

“It Has Been Very Exciting to See the Overwhelmingly Positive Response From Our Customers on the Skycatcher, and the Affirmative Reaction to This Offering Reflects the Overall Continuing Strength in the General Aviation Market Around the Globe,” Cessna Chairman, President and Ceo Jack Pelton Said.

Cessna Revealed It Was Studying a Light Sport (Lsa) Category Aircraft at 2006’s Oshkosh Airventure, Where It Revealed a Proof-of-concept Aircraft. Cessna Formally Announced It Would Proceed With the Project on August 10, Unveiling the Production Standard 162 Skycatcher at This Year’s Oshkosh on July 22.

General Aviation Briefs

* Jandakot Based Hilair Says Its First Sky Arrow 650tcns Demonstrator Had Its Certificate of Airworthiness Inspection and Was Successfully Test Flown on July 27. The Lsa Aircraft is Now Available for Demonstrations and Sale. Hilair Has Appointed Roger Serong as Its Victorian Agent for the Sale and Support of the New Sky Arrow Light Sport Aircraft. Roger is a Ctpl Holder and Instructor, a Casa Approved Instructor for Flight-crew Dangerous Goods Awareness Training, and an Occasional Australian Aviation Contributor.

* Moorabbin’s Royal Victorian Aero Club is Organising Its Archives From Its 80 Year History to Display Logbooks From More Than 500 Past Pilot Members. The List of Names and Their Logbook Details is Now Available on the Club’s Website at Www. Rvac. Com. Au.

* From Mid August Through September, Nasa’s Dryden Flight Research Center is Conducting a Series of Flights Using a General Atomics Ikhana, a Civilian Version of the Military Predator-b Uav, to Demonstrate the Capabilities and Real-time Communications Equipment to Improve Bushfire Imaging and Mapping Capabilities.

Business Aviation

* the Hawker 750 Made Its First Flight on August 23 From Its Wichita Factory. The 750 is the Latest Version of the Popular Hawker 800, but Deletes That Aircraft’s Winglets and the Ventral Fuel Tank.

* Meanwhile, the Hawker 900xp Has Been Granted Certification. The 900xp Features New Honeywell Tfe731-50r Engines Which the Company Says Offers Lower Fuel Burn, Longer Range, Better Hot-and-high Take-off Performance and Reduced Operating Costs.

* the First Bombardier Learjet 60xr Entered Service on July 30 Following Its Delivery to the Los Angeles Based Cloud Nine Aviation. The 60xr Features an Upgraded Interior and the Collins Pro Line 21 Avionics Suite.

* Bombardier is Also Celebrating the Delivery of Its 150th Challenger 300 Business Jet, to Flexjet, Bombardier’s Fractional Business Jet Ownership Program.

* the Cessna Citation Xls+ Made Its First Flight From Cessna’s Facility at Wichita on August 2. The Xls+ Sees the Introduction of the Collins Pro Line 21 Avionics Suite and Full Authority Digital Engine Control (Fadec) Equipped Engines.

Finance

Good Numbers for Rex

Regional Express Holdings, Parent Company of Rex Has Announced a 50 Per Cent Increase in Net Profits for the Year Ended June 30.

The Result Realised a Net Profit of $23. 6 Million, Up From the $15. 7 Million Recorded for the 2005/06 Financial Year and a Big Turnaround on the $24. 3 Million Loss It Made in 2002/03. The Result Came on the Back of a 29 Per Cent Jump in Revenue to $225 Million, a 14 Per Cent Jump in Capacity and an Improved Load Factor of 1. 4 Points to 68. 5 Per Cent.

Poly Profit Up

Polynesian Blue, the Joint Venture Airline Between Virgin Blue and the Government of Samoa, Posted a Pre-tax Profit of of Nz$5. 36m ($10. 5m Tala) for the 12 Months Ended June 30 2007, Up From the Previous Result of Nz$1. 19m for the Period October 1 2005 to June 30 2006.

“the Joint Venture Proposal From Virgin Blue Was Assessed Against Set Criteria by My Government, I Am Pleased to Say Each One of These Have Been Met, Many Well Ahead of Time,” Said Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.

The Result is Attributed to Increased Passenger Numbers to Samoa From Australia (Up 28. 7 Per Cent) and New Zealand (Up 18. 7 Per Cent) for the Year.

Massive Fines for Ba for Price Fixing British Airways Has Been Fined a Total of Us$550m (a$643m) After Admitting Liability in the Price Fixing of Fuel Surcharges for Passenger and Cargo Flights to and From the Us Between August 2004 and February 2006.

The Charges, Which Were Brought by the Us Department of Justice and the Uk’s Office of Fair Trading, Claimed Ba Along With Korean Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Suppressed and Eliminated Competition by Conspiring to Fix the Fuel Surcharges on Passenger Tickets and Freight Items to and From the Us. It Says That Fuel Surcharges Rose 10-fold and Cargo Surcharges 20-fold During the Period of Investigation.

“when British Airways, Korean Air and Their Co-conspirators Got Together and Agreed to Raise Prices for Passenger and Air Cargo Fares, American Consumers and Businesses Ended Up Picking Up the Tab for Their Illegal Conduct,” the Us’s Acting Associate Attorney General William Mercer Said in a Statement. “today’s Enforcement Actions Demonstrate That the Antitrust Division Will Investigate and Prosecute Illegal Cartel Activity – Here and Abroad – in Order to Ensure That American Consumers and Businesses Are Not Harmed by Illegal Cartel Activities. ” Other Airlines, Most Notably Qantas, Are Also Under Investigation for Price Fixing Practices.

“Obviously I Can’t Comment on British Airways’s Situation,” Ceo Geoff Dixon Told the National Aviation Press Club on August 1. “as You Know, We Had Said There Was a Potential Liability but We’ve Not Been Able to Quantify It as Yet and We’re Still in Discussions With a Range of Authorities on the Whole Issue. ” a Report in the Australian on August 3 Says Qantas Received a Subpoena in May Last Year From the Us Department of Justice to Produce Documents Relating to Its Fuel Surcharge Pricing. Other Regulators Including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the New Zealand Commerce Commission and the European Commission Have Also Reportedly Been Asking Questions of the Airline.

Finance Briefs

* Qantas Has Appointed Citigroup Global Markets Australia P/l and Ubs Ag, Australia Branch to Undertake the on-market Buy-back of Approximately 10 Per Cent of Its Shares. Qantas Cfo Peter Gregg Said the Buy-back Was Expected to Commence in September After Relevant Approvals Had Been Completed.

Air Safety

Pilot to Blame for Lockhart Crash – Coroner Queensland Coroner Michael Barnes Has Found Primary Responsibility for the Crash of Transair/aero-tropics Metro Vh-tfu Near Lockhart River on May 7 2005, in Which All 15 on Board Were Killed, Lies With the Aircraft’s Captain, Brett Hotchin.

“primary Responsibly for the Incident Must Rest With the Captain of the Aircraft, a Highly Experienced and Competent Pilot,” Coroner Barnes Stated. “he Knew That the Approach He Was Planning to Undertake Into Lockhart River on 7 May Was Inconsistent With Official Regulations and Transair’s Policies. He Must Have Also Known That His Departure From It Was Fraught With Risk. ” the Aircraft Crashed Into a Ridge While Operating a Rnav Gps Approach Into Lockhart River in Poor Weather. The Coroner’s Report and the Earlier Atsb Report Into the Accident Found the Aircraft Was Flying Faster and Descending Lower Than Recommended by the Gps Approach Chart the Crew Were Using for Lockhart River’s Runway 12.

Barnes Also Determined That: “i Have Also Found That Transair Failed to Adequately Monitor Its Pilots and to Take Steps to Ensure That They Were All Complying With Its Policies. In My View the Evidence Establishes That Its Safety Management System and the Performance of Key Personnel Was Sub-optimal. ” Barnes Focussed in Particular on Transair Chief Pilot Les Wright, Who Has Since Left Australia. “i Find That Mr Wright Must Have at Least Suspected That Unqualified Cairns Based Pilots Were Conducting Rnav (Gnss) Approaches. I Consider That With Reasonable Diligence, by Examining Weather Reports, Flight Logs and Talking to Ground Staff and Flightcrew, Mr Wright Could Have Discovered the True Position Were He So Inclined. Conduct of This Nature Would Have Greatly Increased the Likelihood of All Flight Crews Complying With Proper Approach Procedures. ” Barnes Also Highlighted a “number of Deficiencies in Casa’s Surveillance and Audit of Transair and Its Departure From Its Own Procedures” and That He Had “detected a Degree of Animosity That I Consider Inimical to a Productive, Collaborative Focus on Air Safety” Between the Atsb and Casa.

The Coroner Made Four Recommendations in His Report, That “casa Expedite the Introduction of Mandatory Crew Resource Management Training”; That “casa Consider Creating Firm Guidelines That Require Consideration of Workload, Lines of Authority, Potential Conflicts of Interest and Any Other Factors That Impact Upon the Ability of ‘key Personnel’ to Discharge Their Responsibilities”; That “casa Reconsider the Introduction of Measures to Ensure the Efficiency of Training and Checking Organisations for Air Transport Operations”; and That “the Federal Minister for Transport Consider Engaging an External Consultant to Assess Whether High Level Intervention is Warranted (Between Casa and the Atsb)”.

Transair, Which Operated the Flight for Aero-tropics, Ceased Operations at the End of 2005.

The Coroner’s Report May Be Downloaded From Www. Justice. Qld. Gov. Au/courts/coroner/findings/lhr%20findings1. Pdf.

Air Safety Briefs

* Transport and Regional Services Minister Mark Vaile and Attorney General Phillip Ruddock Have Jointly Announced That the Offence of Pointing a Laser or Other Optical Device at an Aircraft Has Been Upgraded and Could Now Result in a Jail Term of Up to Two Years.

* Melbourne Based Company Biomedtech Australia Has Announced That It Now Has Available a Fully Integrated, Computerised System for Flight Personnel Hypoxia Familiarisation. This “world’s First” Civilian Training Aid Comprises an Educational Package, Cognitive Testing, the Monitoring of Physiological Parameters and Automated Report and Video Production.

* Investigators in Indonesia Have Recovered the Black Boxes From the Adam Air Boeing 737 Which Crashed While on a Flight From Surabaya to Manado on January 1. The Aircraft Mysteriously Disappeared With the Loss of 102 Lives, With Only a Small Amount of Wreckage Initially Being Found Off the Island of Sulawesi.

* Investigators Are Reportedly Looking at an Incorrect Engine Throttle Setting and Inactive Thrust Reversers as a Possible Contributing Factors in the July 17 Tam A320 Accident in Sao Paulo That Killed 199 People.

* Casa Has Released Details of a Proposal for an Aviation Industry Drug and Alcohol Management Plan and Testing Program. Details Are Available on Casa’s Website or by Emailing Mike. Higgins@casa. Gov. Au, and Responses Are Due by August 27.

* Casa Has Also Released an Information Pack for People Who Book Adventure Flights on Warbirds or Other Classic Aircraft. The Online Service “explains How the Safety of Adventure Flights is Managed and the Responsibilities Adventure Flyers Must Take,” and is Available at Www. Casa. Gov. Au/publicinfo/index. Htm.

* Renowned Human Factors and Safety Management Supplier Baines Simmons Aviation Safety Centres Has Opened a New Australasian Operation in Sydney Under the Guidance of Australasia Managing Director Stuart Hughes.

Maintenance, Training & Support

Hawker Pacific’s Dash 8 Approval

Bombardier Has Appointed Hawker Pacific as a Recognised Service Facility (Rsf) for the Dash 8 and Q-series of Turboprop Airliners, Effective From August 8.

Hawker Pacific’s Cairns Facility Will Be Initial the Focus of the Company’s Dash 8 Maintenance Activities as the Company Aims to Grow Its Turboprop Maintenance Marketshare.

“the Bottom Line is That the Increasing Use of Turboprops Has Highlighted a Shortage of Qualified and Experienced Repair and Maintenance Facilities in the Region and Our Rsf Agreement With Bombardier Will Help Relieve That Pressure,” Hawker Pacific Ceo Alan Smith Said.

Rex Supports Engineer Skilled Migration Regional Express Has Voiced Its Support for the Federal Government’s Decision to Place the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Category on Its Migration Occupants Demand List, Meaning Foreign Engineers Can Apply for an Australian Skilled Migration Work Visa.

“we Applaud the Actions by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, the Hon Mark Vaile Mp, for Being Proactive and Taking Bold Initiatives to Ensure the Long Term Sustainability of Regional Aviation,” Said Rex Managing Director Geoff Breust on August 16.

“rex Has an Extensive Recruitment, Training and Apprenticeship Program, but We Would Be Happy to Access More Engineers From Overseas as Well as in Australia,” Breust Said. “as a Regional Airline With an Engineering Base in a Regional Centre, Rex Needs to Employ Skilled Labour Outside of the Major Centres. Having Access to Skilled Migrants Who Can Live and Work in Places Like Wagga Wagga as Well as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, Will Be a Major Boost to Our Airline and the Industry Generally. ” Rex Says It, Like Most Regional Airlines, Finds It Difficult to Recruit Qualified Aircraft Engineers.

Nz’s Biggest Maintenance Contract for Safe Air Air New Zealand Subsidiary Safe Air Has Been Awarded New Zealand’s Largest Defence Aerospace Maintenance Contract.

The Six Year (With Five Year Option) Nz$110m (a$96m) Contract Covers Heavy Maintenance of Rnzaf P-3k Orions and C-130e Hercules and Their T56 Engines, Plus Uh-1h Helicopters. Safe Air Has Long Been the New Zealand Defence Force’s Major Aerospace Maintenance Provider, but This New Contract Incorporates Spares Supply, Components Management and Clear Performance Targets, Plus Also the Right for Safe Air to Continue Occupying Facilities at Rnzaf Woodbourne in Blenheim.

“we Want to See Improved Aircraft Availability, Improved Readiness for Operations, and More Competitive Cost of Fleet Ownership,” Deputy Chief of Air Force Air Commodore Newlands Said. “we Are Confident Safe Air Has the Capability and Commitment to Match Our Focus. ” the New Contract “ensures We Can Retain the Scale and Capabilities We Need to Build Our Portfolio in the International Aerospace Market,” According to Safe Air General Manager Jeremy Remacha.

Aviation High Open for Business

Queensland’s Aviation High School Was Officially Opened on August 9.

Based in the Brisbane Suburb of Hendra Near Brisbane Airport, the High School Offers Students From Years 8 to 12 the Opportunity to Study Aviation-related Courses With a View to Having a Career in the Aviation Industry After Graduation.

All Facets of the Industry Are Covered in the School’s Courses; From Catering, Baggage Handling, Flight Attendants, Pilots, Meteorology and the Environment, Aviation Law, and Engineering.

Aviation High is Supported by the Queensland Government, Boeing Australia, Aviation Australia, Brisbane Airport Corporation, Australian Aerospace and Ge Aerospace and Virgin Blue.

“at a Time When There is a Growing Demand for Specialist Professions Including in Aerospace and Aviation, It is a Forward-thinking Initiative, and a Unique Opportunity for Young Australians to Gain Pre-tertiary Specialisation in an Exciting Industry,” Virgin Blue Ceo Brett Godfrey Said at the Opening. “queensland is Fast Gaining a Worldwide Reputation as a Centre of Aviation Expertise and Training. Aviation High is Another Example of That Vision. ”

John Holland Bags a Tiger

the Recently Established John Holland Aviation Services (Jhas) at Melbourne Airport Has Been Appointed to Provide Maintenance Services for Tiger Airways’ Fleet of Airbus A320s When It Starts Operations Later This Year.

“jhas Has World Class Facilities and the Capability to Service and Support Tiger Airways Australia Fleet of Aircraft Which is Expected to Grow With the Airline’s Recent Order of 50 New Airbus A320 Aircraft,” Tiger Ceo Tony Davis Said in a Statement.

“the Combination of Our Quick Turn-arounds With Uncompromising Australian Safety Standards Will Assist Tiger in Pursuing Its Low-fare Business Model Successfully in the Australian Market,” Added Jhas Director Andrew Henderson.

The Arrangement Will Cover Line and Overnight Maintenance on the Aircraft at Melbourne and Other Tiger Destinations, With Heavy Maintenance Expected to Go Offshore.

Maintenance, Training & Support Briefs

* the City of Ballarat Has Announced That an International Flying Training Academy Will Be Established at That City’s Airport From This October by a Consortium Comprising Singapore Technologies and the Aviation Training Academy (Singapore). The St Atas Academy Hopes to Train Up to 600 Pilots Per Year at Ballarat When It Ramps Up to Full Capability From 2011.

* Boeing Says 14 Airlines Have Now Signed Up for Its Maintenance Performance Toolbox Productivity Tool Software Package Since Its Launch in October 2005.

* Perth Airport Based Pacific Turbine Perth (Formerly Hawker De Havilland Perth – Engine Shop) Closed Its Doors on July 31. The Company, Which is Owned by Nz Based Airwork, Has Been a Honeywell Tfe731 Turbine Engine Specialist for Aircraft Such as the Falcon 10, Lear 31/35/40/45, Bae 125-700, Citation Iii/vi, Westwind 1124 and Others.

* Embraer Asia Pacific Has Opened Its New E-jets Training Services Centre at the Alteon Training Facility at Changi Airport in Singapore. The New Facility is Equipped With a Class D Full Flight Simulator and Will Provide Training Support to the Growing Number of Embraer Operators in the Asia Pacific, Including New Australian Operators Virgin Blue, Skyairworld and Air North.

Enviroment

* Airservices Australia is Seeking Industry Feedback on Possible Solutions for Tackling Delays and Therefore Reducing Emissions and Improving Efficiency Along Australia’s Eastern Seaboard. Ceo Greg Russell Has Called for the Establishment of an Aviation Industry Capacity Delay Forum Comprising Airlines, Airport Operators, and the Bureau of Meteorology to Identify and Implement Possible Solutions.

* the Usaf Has Certified the B-52h to Operate With a 50 Per Cent Blend of Synthetic Fischer-tropsch Fuel and Conventional Jp-8 Fuel. The Cleaner and Cheaper Blend is Scheduled to Be Tested and Possibly Adopted for the Usaf’s C-17 Fleet as Well.

Atc & Airspace

Feedback on Adsb & Gnss Changes Sought the Department of Transport and Regional Services (Dotars) is Seeking Comment and Feedback From Industry Professionals and Airspace Users on Proposed Changes to Australia’s Existing Radar and Navaid Infrastructure.

The Changes Relate to Proposals on the Wider Application of Ads-b and Gnss Technologies Made in a Joint Consultation Paper (Jcp), Including Discussion of Proposed Funding Arrangements and Regulatory Changes.

The Jcp May Be Viewed at Http://www. Dotars. Gov. Au, and Comment Must Be Made via Email to Adsb@dotars. Gov. Au by October 31.

Cargo

* the Qantas Group Has Acquired a 10 Per Cent Stake in Asian Freight Company Dpex Worldwide. The Investment Will See an Expansion of Qantas Freight Enterprises Into the Asian Express Freight Market.

* a Joint-venture Led by Volga-dnepr and Including the Antonov Design Bureau and Engine Manufacturer Motor Sich Has Been Signed Which Will See Production on the an-124 Re-started and Existing Aircraft Upgraded to the Latest 100f Standard. Volga-dnepr Says It Will Order 17 New Build an-124-100m-150fs Powered by Uprated D-18t Series Iv Engines.

* Brisbane Based Jetcraft Aviation Commenced Freight Operations With Its First Atr 42-300 Freighter on July 30. The Adelaide Based Aircraft Has Been Employed on a Nightly Service to Melbourne and Sydney, and Will Be Joined by a Second Aircraft Later This Year. The 42-300 Can Carry 54 Cubic Metres or Over 5. 5 Tonnes of Freight.

* Macair Has Signed a Freight Agreement With Australian Air Express (Aae) Which Will Provide Aae Coverage Across Macair’s Queensland Regional Network Including Townsville, Mt Isa, Cairns, Cloncurry, Burketown and Mornington Island.

People

New Qantas Chair Announced Qantas Has Announced That Mr Leigh Clifford Will Replace Margaret Jackson as the Chairman of the Airline After She Steps Down at November’s Agm.

Mr Clifford is a Former Non Executive Director of Barclays Bank, a Member of the Bechtel Board of Counsellors, and Until April This Year, Was a Board Member and Ceo of Mining Giant Rio Tinto. He Has Also Served as Director of Rio Tinto Plc and Rio Tinto Limited for 13 and 12 Years Respectively.

“as Chief Executive Officer of Rio Tinto Plc Since April 2000, Leigh Has Led the Company Through a Period of Significant Growth, Including a Number of Important Acquisitions and the Consolidation of Rio Tinto’s Position in Asia,” Ms Jackson Said in a Statement. “I Am Personally Delighted to Be Passing the Mantle of Qantas Chairman to Someone of Leigh’s Calibre and Look Forward to Working Closely With Leigh to Ensure a Smooth Transition on My Retirement. ”

People Briefs

* Former Impulse Airlines Owner, Gerry Mcgowan, Has Been Appointed to the Board of Airservices Australia to Replace Philippa Stone Who Resigned Due to Her Appointment to the International Air Services Commission.

* Managing Director of Thales Australia, Air Vice Marshal Norm Gray (Ret), Has Been Appointed to the National Board of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Rfds) as an Independent Director.

* Ran Helicopter Pilot Lcdr Tony Reyne Recently Logged His 3000th Hour Flying the as 350ba Squirrel Training Helicopter With the Ran’s 723sqn. Lcdr Reyne Has a Total of 7756 Hours Since He Joined the Ran in 1970.

* Auckland Airport Has Announced Three Key Senior Appointments. Lucy Powell Has Been Appointed Head of Communications, Judy Nicholl Has Been Appointed General Manager People and Performance, and Tony Wickstead Has Been Appointed to the Newly Created Position of Chief Information Officer.

* William T Piper, Founding Member of the Us General Aviation Manufacturers Association (Gama) and Former President and Chairman of Piper Aircraft, Died in Late August Aged 95.

* Tony Davis Will Take Over as Chief Executive of Rolls-royce Australia Services in January, Succeeding Bob Moore, Who is Retiring in December After 22 Years With the Company. Davis, Who Will Join Rolls-royce in September, Director of Operations for Saab Systems’s Naval Business and Deputy Managing Director of Adelaide Based Saab Systems.

* Qantas Has Appointed Former Ibm Executive Jamila Gordon as Its Chief Information Officer, Effective September 17.

* Air Pacific Has Appointed Neil Robertson as Its Sales and Marketing Manager for Nsw, Act, Sa and Wa. Robertson Was Most Recently Australian Marketing Manager for Gulf Air.

* Fiji’s Air Pacific Has Appointed Mark Siladi as Its Executive General Manager Commercial. A Former Virgin Atlantic Executive, Siladi Has Been a Senior Consultant With Gcw Consulting for the Past Two Years.

Events

* Canberra Airport is Planning an Open Day for the Morning of October 28. Subject to Confirmation a Number of Aircraft Will Be on Display Including an Embraer E-170, Qantas 767-300, Qantaslink Q400, Hars’s Super Constellation ‘connie’, Brindabella Airlines Metro and Jetstream 41, and Possibly Some Sort of Raaf Presence.

* the Staging of the New Zealand National Aviation Expo (Avex) Planned for This October in Hamilton Has Been Delayed by 12 Months. The Expo Has Been Moved to October 2008 to Allow for “a Series of Significant Aviation Industry Initiatives Coming on Track Next Year. ” Site Sales Enquiries Can Be Directed to Noel Gleeson on +64(0)21977767 or via Email to Noel@avex. Co. Nz.

* Red Bull Has Confirmed the Perth Leg of the Air Race Series Will Be Held on November 3 and 4 This Year.

* the Australian Women Pilots’ Association 58th Annual Conference Will Be Held Next Year in Roma, Queensland From April 30 to May 4. Details May Be Obtained From Www. Awpa. Org. Au

* for a Complete List of Upcoming Aviation-related Events, Visit Www. Ausaviation. Com. Au