News Desk

Further Delays From 787 Wingbox Redesign? Boeing Has Confirmed There Were Some Issues With the Wingbox of the 787, but Won’t Yet Say if Deliveries of the Airliner Will Be Further Delayed.

“it is a Normal Part of the Development of a New Airplane to Discover Need for Improvements, and That is What We Are Experiencing on the 787,” a Boeing Statement Issued on March 20 Reads. “the Robust Test Process in Place on the 787 Program Has Confirmed the Majority of Our Designs but We Have Found the Need for Some Improvements.

“the Centre Wingbox Issue Has Been Addressed. The Fix is Being Installed on Airplanes 1-6 in the Everett Factory. Installations Have Begun on the Four Airplanes Currently in Final Assembly. All Airplanes After Airplane 7 Will Have the Solution Incorporated From the Beginning. ” the Statement Follows Comments From Ilfc Chairman Steven Udvar-hazy That Redesign Work on the Wingbox Would Likely Delay Deliveries of the Aircraft by Another Six Months.

Boeing Will Update the Market on the 787 in the Next Two Weeks After It Completes a Review of Its Timelines.

Sukhoi & Irkut to Cooperate on Airliner Programs

Sukhoi and Irkut, Russia’s Largest Aircraft Manufacturers Have Agreed to Work Together and Coordinate Their Superjet and Ms-21 Regional Airliner Programs.

The Move Allows Sukhoi to Go Ahead With Developing a Larger 110 or 130 Seat Stretch to the Superjet, Which is Currently Being Developed With 70 and 90 Seat Variants. Irkut Had Planned to Start Its Ms-21 With 130 Seats, but Will Now Concentrate on the 180-210 Seat Market.

As Part of the Agreement, Sukhoi Will Take on Responsibility for the Development of the Ms-21’s Composite Wing. This Will Be Based on a Scaled Up Version of the Superjet’s Wing, and Work Will Start Soon Based on Drawings of the Fuselage Developed by Yakolev.

The Ms-21 is Designed to Be a Next Generation Airliner to Replace Tupolev Tu-154s and Tu-204s and Other Similar Aircraft. The Program is Being Coordinated by Russia’s United Aircraft (Oak) Organisation and Will Also Involve Antonov, Tupolev and Beriev in Different Stages. Airbus Has Been Approached to Be a Western Partner but Has Not Yet Committed to the Program.

Mrj Launched After Ana Places Order

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Has Launched Its Mitsubishi Regional Jet on March 28 After the Company Received an Order for Up to 25 Mrj90s From All Nippon Airways (Ana).

The Order From Ana is for 15 Firm Aircraft and 10 Options. It is Believed That Mhi Has Also Been in Talks With Vietnam Airlines for an Order of Up to 20 Mrjs, While Japan Airlines Has Also Been Linked to the Project, Although Jal Currently Has 10 Embraer E-170s on Order.

“we Selected the Mrj, With Its New Technologies and Advanced Passenger Cabin, as Part of Our Drive to Equip Our Fleet With the Safest, Most Fuel Efficient, Environmentally Friendly and Passenger Friendly Aircraft Available Today,” Said Ana President and Ceo, Mineo Yamamoto. “the Mrj Will Play an Important Role in Our Strategy Going Forward After the Expansion of Airport Capacity in Metropolitan Tokyo in 2010, Allowing Us to Better Meet the Demands of Our Customers, the Japanese Domestic Market, the Environment and the Needs of Our Network,” to Develop and Build the New Regional Jet, Mitsubishi Will Establish a New Company, to Be Called Mitsubishi Aircraft. Ma Will Have an Initial Capital of Jpy3 Billion (a$3. 28) and Initial Investors Are Likely to Include Mitsubishi, Toyota, Mitsui and the Development Bank of Japan. It Will Have Its Headquarters in Nagoya and Will Start Operations With Approximately 200 Staff.

The Mrj Will Be the First

Commercial Aircraft Developed and Built in Japan Since the Namc Ys-11 of the 1960s. The Mrj Will Be Built in Two Versions – the 90-seat Mrj90 and 70-seat Mrj70, Both of Which Will Have a 2+2 Seating Arrangement. First Flight for the Aircraft is Likely to Occur in 2012 With First Deliveries Following in 2013. Development Costs Have Been Put at Jpy150bn (a$1. 64bn).

The Aircraft Will Feature a Majority Composite Design and Will Be the First to Feature Pratt & Whitney’s Geared Turbofan, Which is Expected to Deliver Significant Fuel Burn Efficiencies Compared to Existing Turbofans. Mhi Claims That the Mrj Will Be Up to 40 Per Cent More Efficient Than Current Generation Regional Aircraft.

Pratt Makes Progress With Gtf Pratt and Whitney Has Fitted Its Geared Turbofan (Gtf) Engine Into Its Nacelle and Flight Inlet and Will Commence the Second Phase of Ground Testing in April.

“we Are on Track to Begin Phase Ii Ground Testing of the Geared Turbofan Demonstrator Engine Ahead of Schedule,” Said Bob Saia, Vice President, Pratt & Whitney Next Generation Product Family. “the Goodrich Nacelle System Fits Perfectly and We Are Excited to Continue Our Ground Test Program as We Prepare for Flight Testing Later This Year. ” Pratt Began Ground Tests of the Gtf in November Last Year and Since Then Has Amassed 130 Hours in Its Phase I Testing. This Testing Validated the Design of the Fan, Low Pressure Compressor, Fan Drive System and Thermal Management System. Phase 2 Will Evaluate the Full Performance and Noise Characteristics of the Engine Ahead of a Flight Test Later This Year.

Pratt Claims That the Gtf Will Reduce Fuel Consumption by Up to 15 Per Cent Compared to Current Turbofans. The Engine Has Been Selected to Power the Mitsubishi Regional Jet and the Bombardier Cseries.

Airbus Ends Sale Talks With Ohb & Mt Aerospace Airbus Has Ended Talks With German Firms Ohb and Mt Aerospace to Sell Facilities in Nordenham, Varel and Augsburg Due to Concerns About the Financial Viability of the Sale.

“we Have Always Said That We Will Only Go for Economically and Industrially Sound Solutions. We Want to Ensure the Future of Our Sites With Strong Partners Who Share Technology, Development Costs and Capital Investments and Are Able to Deliver Large Work Packages at Competitive Costs,” Said Airbus Ceo Tom Enders. “we Simply Could Not Get There With Ohb”.

Airbus Hoped to Sell the Sites as Part of Its Power8 Plan to Streamline Its Operations and Focus on Systems Integration. Airbus Has Also Been in Negotiations With Other Companies to Sell Sites in France and Other Parts of Europe and Will Also Sell a Stake in Airbus Uk’s Operations at Filton.

The Process Has Been Made Harder by the Current Volatility in Financial Markets Making It Harder for Prospective Buyers to Fund Acquisitions Through Debt. The Strong Euro Has Also Affected the Sales With the Currency Having Appreciated Considerably Since the Program to Sell of the Sites Started in 2007.

Nevertheless, Airbus is Committed to Continuing the Sale Process With Other Prospective Buyers. “there Will Be No Turning Back. Our Site Divestment and Partnership Objectives Are Part of a Long Term Business Strategy to Which We Are Fully Committed,” Said Enders

Boeing Buys Into Troubled 787 Supplier Boeing Announced on March 28 That It Has Acquired Vought Aircraft Industries’s Share of Global Aeronáutica, the 5050 Joint Venture Between Vought and Alenia Aeronáutica Tasked With Building Aft Fuselage Sub-assemblies for the 787 Program.

Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Global Aeronáutica Was Thought to Have Been One of the Bottlenecks in the 787’s Global Supply Chain Which Has Led to Delays in the Program of About 12 Months. By Acquiring Vought’s 50 Per Cent, Boeing Can Impose Direct Control Over the Process Improvements It Says Are Required to Bring the Program Back on Track.

“as a Partner in the Global Aeronáutica Joint Venture, Boeing Will Work With Alenia to Apply Proven Lean Manufacturing Expertise to Continue Improving the Efficiency and Productivity of Ga’s Operations, While Vought Will Focus on Its Primary Business of Delivering Quality Aft Fuselage Structures for the 787,” Boeing’s 787 Program Head, Pat Shanahan, Said in a Statement. “all Three Partners in This Transaction – Boeing, Vought and Alenia – Believe These Changes Will Enable the 787 Team to Continue to Overcome Supply-chain Challenges of the Program. ” Global Aeronáutica Was Established in December 2004 to Provide 787 Sub Assemblies as Part of Boeing’s Global Supply Chain, but Has Reportedly Struggled to Meet the 787’s Ambitious Program Schedule and Quality Requirements.

Boeing’s Vp of Marketing Randy Tinseth Has Reaffirmed the Manufacturer’s Plans to ‘power on’ Its 787 “sometime in the Beginning of the Second Quarter”, With First Flight at the End of the Second Quarter and First Deliveries in Early 2009. A Goldman Sachs Report Last Week Predicted That There Would Be Further Delays to the 787 Program.

Alenia Aeronautica Has Completed Ultimate Load Testing on the Boeing 787’s Horizontal Stabiliser. The Test Showed That the Stabiliser Was Able to Handle Forces Up to 150 Per Cent More Than Would Be Expected When the Aircraft is in Service.

Commercial Briefs

Boeing Has Firmed Up Half of the Design of the 747-8 Freighter. The Company Has Now Released the Detailed Designs of the Aircraft to Suppliers in Order to Begin Component Production. First Deliveries Are Due to Begin in Late 2009 to Cargolux and Nippon Cargo Airlines.

Boeing Delivered the 700th 777 on March 3. The Aircraft, a 777-300er, Was Built for Ilfc and is Leased to Cathay Pacific. Boeing Currently Has Orders for 1060 777s on Order and the Aircraft is in Service With 55 Airlines Around the World.

Airbus Says That It Has No Timetable for the Development of the A380 Freighter and is More Focused on Ensuring That Passenger A380s Are Delivered on Time.

Airbus Has Announced That Honeywell Will Supply the Flight Management System for the A350 Xwb. Honeywell Was Previously Selected to Supply the Aircraft’s Pressurisation, Auxiliary Power and Climate Control Systems.

Boeing Has Announced That Qantas Has Ordered Its Aircraft Health Management System for the Airline’s Fleet of 747-400s. Developed in Australia, the Ahms Will Allow Qantas to Monitor Maintenance Issues on Its 747 Fleet With Greater Precision, Allowing It to Anticipate Faults and Increase Reliability.

Sales Porter Airlines of Canada Has Ordered Two Dash 8-q400s.

Bombardier Has Received an Order for Six Bombardier Crj900 Nextgen Jets and 10 Options. The Order is Believed to Have Been Placed by the Iraqi Government for a Rejuvenated Iraqi Airways.

Felix Airways of Yemen Has Ordered Eight Bombardier Crj700 Nextgen Regional Jets.

Lessor Awas Has Ordered Six Airbus A330-300s. These Will Be Leased to Singapore Airlines.

Airberlin Has Ordered Three Bombardier Dash 8-q400s. These Will Be the First Turboprops for the Leisure Carrier.

Airasia X Has Ordered an Additional 10 A330-300s. The Carrier Now Has 25 A330s on Order.

Embraer Has Sold 36 E-195s to an Unnamed Brazilian Carrier Which Will Be Headed Up by Former Jetblue Airways Ceo David Neelman.

Turkmenistan Airlines Has Ordered One Boeing 737-700 and Two Boeing 737-900ers.

M1 Travel of Lebanon Has Exercised Options on Five Embraer E-190s.

Cit Aerospace Has Ordered 15 Airbus A320 Family Aircraft and Five A330-200s.

Military

Boeing to Protest Tanker Decision Boeing Has Announced It Will Formally Protest Last Week’s Kc-45 Tanker Decision Which Saw Its Kc-767 Lose Out to Northrop Grumman/eads’s Kc-30.

The Announcement Comes After Boeing Was Debriefed by Usaf Officials on March 7 on Why It Lost the Contract. While Boeing Initially Welcomed the Debrief, It Subsequently Said It Had Concerns With Various Aspects of the Selection Process.

“we Spent Several Hours With Air Force Leaders, Listening and Probing, All in an Effort to Better Understand the Reasoning Behind Their Decisions,” Boeing’s Vice President and Program Manager of the Kc-767 Tanker, Mark Mcgraw, Said in a March 7 Statement. “while We Are Grateful for the Timely Debriefing, We Left the Room With Significant Concerns About the Process in Several Areas, Including Program Requirements Related to Capabilities, Cost and Risk; Evaluation of the Bids and the Ultimate Decision. ” “our Team Has Taken a Very Close Look at the Tanker Decision and Found Serious Flaws in the Process That We Believe Warrant Appeal,” Said Jim Mcnerney, Boeing Chairman, President and Ceo on March 10. “this is an Extraordinary Step Rarely Taken by Our Company, and One We Take Very Seriously. ” Boeing Says It Has Never Previously Appealed a Selection Decision That Had Gone Against It.

Analysts and Commentators in the Us, Most of Whom Had Predicted Boeing Would Win the Contract, Have Been Busy Examining the Process Over the Past Week. One Report Says the Kc-30 Beat the Kc-767 on Four of the Five Main Criteria, Including Mission Capability, Past Performance, Cost/price and Integrated Assessment, and Tied on the Fifth Criteria of Proposal Risk.

Boeing Submits Kc-45 Protest

as Expected, Boeing Submitted Its Formal Protest on March 11 to the Us Government Accountability Office (Gao) Over Its Loss to a Northrop Grumman/eads Consortium for the Usaf’s 179 Aircraft Kc-45 (Formerly Kc-x) Program.

“our Analysis of the Data Presented by the Air Force Shows That This Competition Was Seriously Flawed and Resulted in the Selection of the Wrong Airplane for the Warfighter,” Boeing’s Vice President and Program Manager, Boeing Tanker Programs, Mark Mcgraw, Said in a Statement. “we Have Fundamental Concerns With the Air Force’s Evaluation, and We Are Exercising Our Right Under the Process for a Gao Review of the Decision to Ensure That the Process by Which America’s Next Refuelling Tanker is Selected is Fair and Results in the Best Choice for the Us Warfighters and Taxpayers. ” Boeing Says Its Kc-767 and the Rival Kc-30 Were Assigned Identical Rankings in All Five Evaluation Factors, These Being Mission Capability, Risk, Past Performance, Cost/price and Integrated Fleet Aerial Refuelling Assessment. Indeed, Boeing Claims the Kc-767 “had the Better Offering in Terms of Most Probable Life Cycle Costs, Lower Risk and Better Capability. ” Boeing Further Claims That “flaws in This Procurement Process Resulted in a Significant Gap Between the Aircraft the Air Force Originally Set Out to Procure – a Medium Sized Tanker to Replace the Kc-135, as Stated in the Rfp – and the Much Larger Airbus A330 Based Tanker It Ultimately Selected. ” the Gao Has 100 Days to Assess Boeing’s Protest, During Which Time All Us Government Funded Work on the Program Must Cease.

Us Gao Warns on F-35 Schedule and Price

the Us Government Accountability Office (Gao) Has Warned That the F-35 Jsf Program is Likely to Increase in Cost by as Much as Us$38bn (a$40. 5bn) and Slip by Up to 27 Months in the Next Few Years.

In a Report Released on March 10, the Gao Said the Programs’ Development and Us Build Run Cost Will Likely Rise to Us$337bn (a$359bn) From the Previous Estimate of Us$299bn (a$319bn) Which the Gao Identified as Being “not Comprehensive, Not Accurate, Not Well Documented and Not Credible,” an Increase of 45 Per Cent Over the Original Projected Cost as Laid Out in 2001. “we Believe That Jsf Costs Will Likely Be Much Higher Than Reported,” the Report Reads. “the Estimates Do Not Include All Costs, (and) Some Assumptions Are Overly Optimistic and Not Well Documented. Three Independent Defence Offices Separately Concluded That Program Cost Estimates Are Understated by as Much as (Us)$38 Billion and That the Development Schedule is Likely to Slip From 12 to 27 Months. ” the Report Comes From the Gao’s Fourth Congressionally Mandated Review It Has Conducted on the Jsf Which Focussed on the “program’s Progress in Meeting Cost, Schedule, and Performance Goals; Plans and Risks in Development and Test Activities; the Program’s Cost Estimating Methods; and Future Challenges Facing the Program. ” in It, the “gao Identified Changes in Cost and Schedule From Prior Years and Their Causes, Evaluated Development Progress and Plans, Assessed Cost Estimating Methodologies Against Best Practices, and Analysed Future Budget Requirements. ” the Cost Rises Are Likely to Have an Impact of Up to 15 Per Cent on the Aircraft’s Average Unit Cost, Originally Projected to Be Around Us$47m in 2002 Dollars or About Us$77m in 2015 Dollars) for the F-35a. Of More Concern Though is the Schedule Slip Which, if the Full 27 Months is Realised, Could Mean Partner Nations May Not Take Delivery of Their First Aircraft Until Late 2015 Instead of 2012/13 as Many Are Planning for. Australia’s Projected Initial Operational Capability (Ioc) of One Squadron is Currently Planned for Late 2015, but a 27 Month Delay Could Push This Back to Early 2018.

More Super Hornets for Raaf & Us Navy to Bridge Jsf Gap? As a Consequence of Looming Delays and Cost Increases Forecast by the Us Gao for the F-35 Jsf Program, the Us Navy is Reportedly Considering an Order for 69 Extra Boeing F/a-18e/f Super Hornets to Bridge a Possible Gap Between Its Ageing F/a-18c/ds and the Introduction of the F-35c.

Appearing Before a Senate Panel, the Us Navy’s Chief of Naval Operations (Cno), Admiral Gary Roughead, Said Many of the F/a-18c/ds and Even Some of the Earlier Block 1 F/a-18e/fs Would Be Nearing the End of Their Service Lives by 2015, at Which It Was Hoped the F-35c Would Be Entering Service. But if Service Entry Slips by as Much as 27 Months as the Gao Has Forecast, Additional Super Hornets May Be Required to Fulfil the Navy’s Deployment Schedule.

There Has Also Been Speculation in Australian Media That the Raaf May Consider Additional F/a-18e/fs to Fill Any Further Capability Gaps if, as is Expected, the Original Acquisition of 24 Super Hornets is Ratified by Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon’s Air Combat Capability Review Next Month. Defence Sources Have Told ‘aa’ That There is Increased Confidence in the Super Hornet Decision Within Defence as the Short Term Phase 1 Part of the Review Winds Down and Transitions to the Longer Term Strategic Phase 2.

While Defence is Known to Have Requested Information on Availability and Pricing of an Unspecified Number of Additional F/a-18e/f Airframes, Possibly Including a Small Number of the Ea-18g Growler Electronic Attack Variant, Speculation That as Many as 32 Additional Super Hornets May Be Acquired Due to the F-35’s Delays and Uncertainties With the Raaf’s F/a-18 Hug Phase 3. 2 Centre Barrel Refurbishment Program, Seems, on Face Value, to Be Somewhat Premature and at the High End of the Scale.

F-35 Aa-1 Performs First Aerial Refueling Hookup Lockheed Martin Says Its First F-35 Lightning Ii, Aa-1, Successfully Completed the Aircraft’s First Airborne Refuelling Hook-up During the Aircraft’s 34th Flight on March 12.

The Hook-up Was Conducted With a Specially Instrumented Nkc-135 Tanker From Edwards Afb That Deployed to Fort Worth for the Initial Two Week Long Refuelling Test Program. While No Fuel Was Transferred During the 1. 5 Hour Flight, the Two Aircraft Performed Multiple Engagements and the F-35 Was Flown in Various Positions Behind the Tanker to Confirm the Aircraft’s Aerodynamic Performance and Compatibility With the Tanker’s Boom. “the Test Team is Completely Satisfied We Can Manoeuvre in the Vicinity of the Kc-135, and the Tanker Boom Can Easily Connect With the F-35,” Lockheed Martin’s Vice President of the F-35 Integrated Test Force, Doug Pearson, Said in a Statement. “we Will Begin to Evaluate the F-35 Fuel System During the Next Refuelling Test Mission by Transferring Various Amounts of Fuel From the Tanker. ”

Stealth Fighter Disappears for Good the Usaf Officially Retired the Last of Its F-117 Nighthawk Aircraft at a Ceremony at Wright-patterson Afb on March 12.

The Usaf Says the F-117’s Mission Has Been Superseded by the B-2, F-22 and the Forthcoming F-35, and That the Aircraft, Which Entered Service in 1981, Was Becoming Too Costly to Maintain and Support. About Two Dozen Aircraft Were Retired in 2007, and the Remaining Aircraft Will Be Placed in Storage at Their Original Base at the Secretive Tonopah Test Range (Ttr) in the Nevada Desert, or Retired to Selected Museums.

The Original Yf-117a Prototype Was Recently Placed on Display at the Blackbird Airpark Near the Usaf’s Plant 42 Facility at Palmdale, California, Alongside an Sr-71a and a-12 Blackbirds and a D-21 Drone, Just Down the Road From the Famous Skunk Works Facility Where All F-117s and Sr-71s Were Built.

Super Hornets Are Go, Growler to Come?

Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon Has Announced That Not Only Will the Planned Acquisition of 24 Boeing F/a-18f Super Hornet ‘bridging Fighters’ for the Raaf Proceed but That the Government Will Also Consider Acquisition of the Ea-18 Growler Electronic Warfare Variant.

The Minister’s Decision to Proceed With the Super Hornet Buy Came Under the First Phase of His Air Combat Capability Review, and Endorses the Previous Howard Government’s Decision to Buy the Jets to Bridge a Capability Gap Between the Retirement of the F-111c in 2010 and the Introduction of a Fully Operational F-35 From Around 2017.

“the Super Hornet is an Excellent Aircraft Capable of Meeting Any Known Threat in the Region and is the Only Aircraft Which Can Meet the Small Delivery Window Created by the Former Government’s Poor Planning Processes and Politically Driven Responses,” Fitzgibbon Said in a March 17 Statement.

“the Analysis Also Highlighted Additional Capabilities Such as Specialist Electronic Warfare Variants (the F/a-18g [sic]) That Will Be Considered as Part of the Super Hornet Acquisition. These Additional Capabilities Will Be More Fully Considered Under the Second Stage of the Air Combat Capability Review. ” Had the Project Been Cancelled the Government Would Have Faced Contract Cancellation Fees in the Order of $400 Million. Instead, “one Benefit the Government’s Review Has Already Produced, Through the Detailed Analysis Undertaken, is the Opportunity to Reduce the Cost of the Super Hornets,” the Minister Said. “as a Consequence of the Review Process, the Department of Defence Has Indicated That It Expects That Significant Savings of Up to $300 Million Can Be Made in the Internal Defence and Industry Costs of Supporting the Super Hornet Aircraft.

Fitzgibbon Used the Announcement to Continue His Attack on the Previous Government Over the Process Leading Up to the Super Hornet’s Selection. “there Has Been a Lack of Sound, Long Term Air Combat Capability Planning Decisions by the Former Government Over the Course of the Last Decade,” He Said. “the Retirement of the F-111 Was Made in Haste but is Now Irreversible. The Cost of Turning the F-111 Back on Would Be Enormous and Crews and Skills Have Already Moved on. ” Metal for Major Structural Components for the First Raaf F/a-18f Has Already Been Cut, With the First Aircraft Due to Be Rolled Out in June Next Year and the First Four Scheduled for Delivery to Amberley in the First Quarter of 2010.

Binskin New Caf, Houston Extended

Current Air Commander Air Vice-marshal Mark Binskin Has Been Selected From a High Quality Field of Candidates to Be the Government’s Choice as Next Chief of Air Force (Caf).

Avm Binskin Will Be Promoted to Air Marshal and Assume the Caf Position From July 4, Succeeding Current Caf Airmshl Geoff Shepherd. Avm Binskin Was Only Appointed as Air Commander and Promoted to Avm in July 2007 After Previously Serving as Commander of Air Combat Group From 2003 to 2005, and Director General Capability Planning From 2005 to 2007, So His Rapid Promotion to Caf Has Pleasantly Surprised Many.

Avm Binskin’s Appointment to Caf Was Announced as Part of Broader Adf Leadership Changes Announced by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon on March 19, With Current Chief of Defence Force (Cdf) Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston Having His Term Extended by a Further Three Years to July 2011. Other Changes See Ltgen David Hurley, Former Head of the Defence Capability Executive Group and Current Chief of Joint Operations, Appointed as the New Vice Chief of Defence Force (Vcdf), Radm Russell Crane Has Been Promoted From Deputy Chief of Navy to the Rank of Vice Admiral (Vadm) and Appointed as the New Chief of Navy to Succeed Vadm Russ Shalders, and Ltgen Ken Gillespie, Currently the Vcdf, Has Been Appointed as the New Chief of Army, Succeeding Lieutenant General Peter Leahy.

Avm Binskin Started His Military Career in the Navy as a a-4g Skyhawk Pilot. He Joined the Raaf After an Exchange Posting Flying Mirages, and Other Career Highlights Have Included a Stint as Raaf Hornet Display Pilot and Co of 77 Squadron.

In Announcing the Changes the Prime Minister Paid Tribute to the Outgoing Caf. “air Marshal Geoff Shepherd Has Served as the Chief of Air Force for the Past Three Years. He’s Had a Distinguished Career as a Fighter Pilot, and Has Held a Number of Senior Command Appointments. He Leaves the Royal Australian Air Force in Good Shape, . . . Recruiting and Retention (Are) at Good Levels With No Critical Categories. “

Jassm Looking Good for Usaf Clearance

Following a Suspension of the Lockheed Martin Agm-158 Jassm Missile Program, Jassm is Poised for a Return to Service After a Series of Successful Test Flights in February.

The Program Was Suspended Last Year Following a Series of Test Failures and a Program Budget Blowout. Although Lockheed Martin Officials Would Not Reveal the Actual Success Rate of February’s 16 Test Firings During a Media Briefing in Canberra on March 25, They Expressed Confidence That the Fund-suspending Nunn-mccurdy Legislation Currently Imposed on the Program Would Soon Be Lifted and the Delayed Lot 7 Production Contract Would Be Signed by Mid Year.

As the Only International Customer for the Jassm to Equip Its F/a-18a/b Hornets, the Raaf Has Been Continuing Its Flight Test Campaign of the 400+km Range Missile by the Aerospace Operational Support Group (Aosg) at Raaf Edinburgh. The Raaf’s Operational Missiles Are Programmed to Come From the Lot 7 Production.

Raf Tanker Contract Finally Signed

the British Government Has Signed a £13bn (a$28. 2bn) Contract With the Eads Led Airtanker Consortium to Provide 14 A330 Based Air-to-air Tankers for the Raf for a Period of 27 Years as Part of a Private Finance Initiative.

The Contract Was Finally Signed After More Than Four Years of Negotiations and Recent Difficulties in Securing the Necessary Funds to Finance the Deal. Under the Arrangement, the Airtanker Consortium Comprising Eads, Cobham, Rolls-royce, Thales and the Vt Group Will Retain Ownership of the Aircraft and Will Retain Responsibility for Training and Maintenance, With the Raf Effectively Leasing the Assets as Required. New Infrastructure Including Maintenance Hangars, Training Facilities, Flight Operations and Ground Services Will Also Be Established at Raf Brize Norton Under the Deal.

The Raf Will Become the Fifth Operator of the A330 Tanker After Australia’s Raaf, the Uae, Saudi Arabia, and the Usaf in Kc-45 Form (Boeing’s Appeal Pending). Aircraft Will Begin to Enter Service From 2011 to Replace the Raf’s Ageing Vc10 and Lockheed Tristar Tankers.

Global Hawk Sets Medium/large Uav Endurance Record a Northrop Grumman Rq-4 Global Hawk Set an Endurance Record for a Full-scale, Operational Unmanned Aircraft on March 22 After Completing a Flight of More Than 33 Hours Over Southern California.

“it Was a Picture-perfect Flight, Landing Flawlessly on Centreline With Enough Fuel Remaining to Continue for Two More Hours,” Northrop Grumman Vice President of High Altitude Long Endurance (Hale) Systems, Jerry Madigan, Said in a Statement. “this Was a Major Milestone for the Entire Global Hawk Team and is a Critical Data Point in Supporting Upcoming Production Decisions,” Added the Usaf’s Acting Global Hawk Program Director for the 303rd Aeronautical Systems Group, Col Chris Coombs.

The Flight Was Performed by Af-8, the First of the Optimised Block 20 Airframes for the Usaf. The Block 20 Forms the Basis of Northrop Grumman’s Rq-4n Contender for the Us Navy’s Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (Bams) Program Which is Due to Be Announced in Mid April. The Raaf’s Air 7000 Phase 1 Program to Replace Part of the Manned Ap-3c Orion Maritime Surveillance Capability With an Unmanned Aircraft Will Likely Follow the Lead of the Bams Program.

Military Briefs

the Fourth C-17a Globemaster Iii Transport for the Raaf Arrived at Amberley on March 9, Completing the Current Fleet on Order. The Aircraft Will Be Officially Welcomed by Adf, Boeing Australia and Government Officials at a March 11 Ceremony.

Spanish Shipbuilder Navantia Launched the ‘juan Carlos I’ Lhd on March 10 at Its Shipyard in Ferrol, Spain. The First of Class Juan Carlos I is the Design Upon Which the Ran’s Two Canberra Class Lhds, Due to Enter Service Next Decade, Are Based.

Raytheon Says It Has Developed a New Conventional ‘bunker Busting’ Air Launched Penetrator Warhead Designed to Defeat Hardened and Deeply Buried Bunkers. Dubbed Tandem Warhead System, the New Warhead Provides More Than Double the Compressive Strength of Existing Weapons.

India Has Signed a Us$965m (a$1. 03bn) Contract With Russia’s Rosoboronexport Arms Agency to Upgrade Its Fleet of 70 Mig-29 Fighters With New Weapons, Avionics and Additional Fuel Capacity.

Forecast International Has Predicted That Fighter Aircraft Manufacturers Will Deliver 3345 New Fighters Over the Next 10 Years to 2017, With a Combined Value of Us$164. 5bn (a$179. 4bn). Annual Production is Expected to Run at Around 300 Aircraft Per Year to 2013 and Then Rise to More Than 400 Per Year as the F-35 Jsf Reaches Full Rate Production Levels. Other Fighters Expected to Remain in Production During This Period Include the Eurofighter Typhoon, China’s Chengdu J/f-10, the Sukhoi Su-30 Series and the Boeing F/a-18e/f Super Hornet, as Well as the Final Batches of the Saab Gripen, Lockheed Martin’s F-16 and F-22, the Rsk Mig-29/35, and Dassault’s Rafale.

The Last of 148 Tranche 1 Eurofighter Typhoons Was Delivered to Germany’s Luftwaffe on March 20. Production Has Now Switched to the Enhanced Tranche 2 Variant, the First of 236 Expected to Be Delivered to the Raf in June.

Airlines

Qantas Launches Long Haul Premium Economy Qantas Has Unveiled Its New Premium Economy Product Which Will Feature on the Airline’s Boeing 747-400s and Airbus A380s.

The New Seats Were Designed by Marc Newson and Made by Recaro and Are 19. 5cm Wide With a 23cm Seat Recline and Up to 42in (106cm) Pitch. The Seats Will Also Feature Usb and Rj-45 Computer Ports and an in-arm Touch Screen Video Monitor. Passengers Will Be Treated to a Separate Menu and Wine Selection as Well as a Self Service Bar for Refreshments During the Flight.

Passengers Will Also Have Access to Priority Check in, Boarding and Disembarkation and Will Have an Additional Hand Baggage Allowance.

The First 747-400 to Feature the 32-seat Premium Economy Section, Vh-ojk, Entered Service on March 7 Operating a Flight From Sydney to Hong Kong. Selected Services From Sydney to London and Johannesburg Will Also Feature Premium Economy With More Services to Feature It as the Rest of the Fleet is Retrofitted With the New Seats.

The Retrofits Are Being Performed

at Qantas Engineering’s 747 Facility at Avalon.

Singapore Goes All Business on A345s Singapore Airlines Has Announced That It Will Reconfigure Its Five Airbus A340-500s Into an All Business Layout for Its Direct Services From Singapore to Los Angeles and New York.

The Services Were Previously Configured to Carry 181 Passengers in a Mixed Business and Premium Economy Cabin Which Was Unique to the Sia Fleet. However, It is Believed That in This Mixed, Lower Density Configuration That the Aircraft Was Still Not Able to Carry a Full Load on Some Flights Due to Winds at Certain Times.

In the New Arrangement, the Aircraft Will Carry 100 of the Airline’s New Business Class Seats in a 1-2-1 Layout. The Seats Are Similar to Those on the New A380s and 777-300ers, and Feature a 104cm Wide Seat Which Folds Out to a Flat Bed.

Emirates to Fly A380 to Sydney, Auckland

Emirates Has Announced That Its First Routes for the Airbus A380 Will Be From Dubai to New York, London Heathrow, Sydney and Auckland.

The Routes Will Gradually Take on the A380 as the Airliners Are Delivered. Dubai-new York Will Commence A380 Service on October 1, Followed by London-heathrow on December 1 While the Service to Sydney and Auckland Will Begin on February 1 2009.

Emirates Will Take Delivery of Its First A380 at the End of the Northern Summer This Year. The Airline is the Largest A380 Customer With 58 Engine Alliance Powered Aircraft on Order.

Cathay Reports Higher Profit

Cathay Pacific Has Reported a 72 Per Cent Increase in Full Year Profit for 2007 to Hk$7bn (a$970m).

The Profit Was Largely Attributed to Increased Passenger Demand, With 17. 8 Million Passengers Carried, Representing a 6. 2 Per Cent Increase on the Previous Year. Strong Demand for Premium Seats Helped Push Up Yield by 11 Per Cent. Total Turnover for the Year Was Hk$75bn (a$10bn), Up 24 Per Cent on the Previous Year.

The Figures Represent the First Report Since Cathay Merged With Fellow Hong Kong Carrier Dragonair, and This Helped With the Higher Turnover. “the Synergies Between Cathay Pacific and Dragonair Really Began to Show Through and Helped to Further Develop Hong Kong’s Role as Asia’s Leading International Aviation Hub for Both Passenger and Cargo Traffic,” Said Cathay Chairman Christopher Pratt.

Cathay Has Focused on Improving Its Long Haul Product, With the Introduction of New Cabins on the Airline’s Boeing 777-300ers. These Will Feature New in Flight Entertainment Systems Across All Cabins, First Class Suites and Flat Beds in Business.

The Carrier Also Added a Number of New Services From Hong Kong to Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Canada During the Year.

Qantas Takes Off to Ba Qantas Has Announced Its Return to South America With Plans to Launch a Three Time Weekly Direct Service From Sydney to Buenos Aires in Argentina From November 24.

Qantas Flew to the Argentine Capital Between 1998 and 2002 via Auckland, but These New Flights Will Be the Airline’s First Nonstop Services to South America. Operated by 747-400s, the New Flights Will Depart Sydney on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Qantas is Offering Launch Economy Fares on the New Service From $1899.

Qantas Currently Codeshares on Lan’s Sydney-auckland-santiago Flights and This Will Continue Once the New Buenos Aires Service Starts.

The Announcement Comes as Qantas Prepares to Ramp Up Its Services to North America. Qantas Will Introduce an Additional Two Flights Each Week From Brisbane to Los Angeles Between March 27 and April 1, Taking the Frequency to Daily. It Will Also Introduce Two Additional Sydney-los Angeles Services From March 30 and One Extra Sydney-honolulu Flight Each Week From April 5, Increasing Weekly Frequencies to 17 and Four, Respectively.

“qantas Will Further Enhance Its Us Services in October, When It Operates Its First A380 Services From Australia to Los Angeles,” Executive General Manager John Borghetti Said.

Flights Delayed in 2007 Airline on Time Performance During 2007 for Both Arrivals and Departures Was Down on the Previous Year, According to Newly Released Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics Figures.

Participating Airlines Recorded an Average of 83. 7 Per Cent of Flights Having an on Time Departure, Compared to 87. 3 Per Cent in 2006. On Time Arrivals Also Declined, by 1. 9 Points to 82. 2 Per Cent. Average Cancellations Were Up by 0. 3 Points to 1. 2 Per Cent.

Jetstar Was the Major Airline With the Highest Average on Time Departures at 84. 1 Per Cent and Also Enjoyed the Lower Number of Cancellations. Qantas and Virgin Blue Recorded on Time Departures of 82. 8 and 82. 4 Per Cent Respectively. In the Regional Airlines, Qantaslink Recorded the Highest Level of on Time Departures at 85. 7 Per Cent, Followed by Regional Express (84. 8 Per Cent), Skywest (82. 8 Per Cent) and Macair (80. 8 Per Cent).

The Figures Also Showed That Canberra Was the Airport With the Best on Time Arrivals and Departures.

Dubai to Launch Budget Carrier the Government of Dubai Will Launch a Low Cost Carrier to Serve Lower Income Passengers and Compete With Other Lccs in the Middle East, but It Will Not Be Part of the Emirates Group.

The Announcement Came After an Order by Dubai’s Ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to Create the New Airline. The Name of the Lcc Has Not Been Released, but It Will Be Headed by Ghaith Al-gaith, Who is Currently the Commercial Operations Director for Emirates and Will Be Chaired by Emirates Group Chairman Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-maktoum. While a Large Amount of Assistance to Start the New Airline Will Come From Emirates, It Will Operate Separately From the Emirates Group.

According to Media Reports, the Airline Plans to Place an Order for Narrowbody Aircraft Later This Year. Some Analysts Have Pointed to the Possibility of the New Airline Operating Airbus A380s in an All Economy Configuration, Something Which Emirates Management Has Flagged in the Past. Any Such Move Would Be Unlikely to Happen in the Short Term, as the Lcc Will Be Focused on Flying to Other Destinations in the Persian Gulf Region.

Qantas, Air New Zealand Yields Under Pressure

Figures From Air New Zealand and Qantas Show That Both Carriers Saw a Decrease in Yield on Their Respective Domestic Services During the Start of the Year.

According to Air New Zealand, Short Haul Yield Decreased by Four Per Cent in February With Its Domestic Load Factor Down by 2. 2 Points. Long Haul Yield Also Decreased, but Load Factors on These Services Remained Strong. Air Nz Recently Announced That It Would Add an Extra Weekly Auckland-vancouver Service in November This Year to Meet Strong Demand.

Qantas Reported That in the Seven Months to January 31 Its Domestic Yield Increased by 1. 2 Per Cent. This Was Slower Than the Previous Period When Yield Increased by 3. 5 Per Cent. The Slowing Domestic Yield Was Offset by Strong Performance in Its International Operations, Which Increased Yield During December 07-january 08 by 8. 5 Per Cent.

The Figures Demonstrate the First Real Effects of New Competition for Qantas and Air New Zealand. Qantas Has Been Under Pressure From the Entry of Tiger Airways, but Has Been Able to Offset This With Jetstar, While Air Nz Has Been Competing With Pacific Blue.

Ozjet Cancels Services, Close to Merger Deal

Only Days From Starting Its First Scheduled Flights From Brisbane and Sydney to Palmerston North, Ozjet Has Cancelled the Services, Citing a Merger of the Company as the Main Reason.

Ozjet Had Been Scheduled to Begin Its First Flight to Palmerston North on March 31 but the Airline Continues to Service Its Scheduled Flights From Perth to Curtin. The Airline is Offering Refunds to Passengers Affected by the Cancellations.

Ozjet’s Existing Wetlease and Contract Charter Operations for Solomon Airlines, Norfolk Air, Airlines Png and Indojet Will Not Be Affected.

Ozjet Has Yet to Reveal Who It is in Merger Talks With, but Reports From New Zealand Point to a Takeover by Nauru’s Our Airline. Other Speculation is That Local Australian Interests Are Involved in Buying Out the Airline, Which Was Founded by Formula 1 Identity Paul Stoddard.

The Withdrawal by Ozjet is a Big Blow to the Manawatu Region as It Will Leave the Region Without a Direct International Air Service After March 31. Freedom Air Operated Its Last Service to Australia From Palmerston North on March 30.

Qantas Increases Wa Capacity

Qantas Has Announced It is Increasing Capacity Between Perth and the Wa Regional Destinations of Broome, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Newman and Port Hedland From June.

The New Services Will Comprise Five Additional Weekday Perth-port Hedland Services, Three Additional Perth-broome Services, and Two Additional Perth-newman Services. Ten Perth-karratha Return Services Will Be Upgraded From 717 to 737 Aircraft, and Three Perth-kalgoorlie Return Services Will Be Upgraded From 717s to 737s.

In Addition, Qantas Will Upgrade the Third of Its Four Daily Perth-brisbane Services From 737 to 767 Equipment.

Lost Bags, Delays to Cost Airlines Dearly

Passengers Could Receive $8000 Compensation for a Delayed Flight or $1800 if an Airlines Loses Their Bag Under New Legislation Being Introduced to the Australian Parliament by the Rudd Government.

The Legislation Will Enable the Government to Ratify the Montreal Convention, Which Supersedes the Chicago Convention of 1929. The Government Says That Ratification of the New Treaty is Necessary to Bring Australia in Line With Other Oecd Countries and Provide More Protection for Air Travellers.

Under the New Laws, Passengers Could Be Awarded $8000 for a Delay and $180,000 for Death or Injury. Lost Cargo Would Also Be Compensated at $31 Per Kilogram. Compensation Amounts Would Be Reviewed Every Five Years and Adjusted in Line With Inflation.

One of the Major Differences Under the Proposed New Legislation is That There Will Be No Need to Prove an Airline Was at Fault to Receive Compensation. Current Laws Require the Passenger to Prove That the Airline Was Negligent in Its Handling of a Passenger’s Baggage in Order to Claim Compensation for Lost Baggage.

Qantas Has Welcomed the News About the New Legislation.

Airline Briefs

Regional Express Will Increase Its Fuel Surcharge to $30 Per Sector, an Increase of $3 on the Previous Surcharge. The Carrier Also Said That It Will Make Some ‘adjustments’ on Selected Routes.

The Australian and Malaysian Governments Have Negotiated a New Bilateral Agreement Which Will Increase the Number of Seats Available Between Malaysia and Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney by 5000 Seats From March This Year. There Will Be a Further Increase of 3500 Seats From March 2009.

Jetstar Pilots Have Voted to Accept the Latest Eba Offer From the Budget Carrier, Which Increases the Base Salary, Adds Retention and Performance Bonuses and Provides More Family Friendly Policies and Rostered Days Off. The New Agreement Passed With 58 Per Cent Support From Those Eligible to Vote on It.

Virgin Blue Commenced Its Premium Economy Service on March 15. The New Product, Which Features Increased Leg Room and No Middle Seat, Has Been on Sale Since February 22.

Qantaslink Has Recruited 14 Pilots as Part of Its New Pilot Trainee Program. The New Recruits Will Undertake Training at General Flying Services at Moorabbin Before Moving on to Become First Officers on the Qantaslink Dash 8 Fleet.

Qantas Will Increase Services to Adelaide, Alice Springs and Darwin. In April, the Carrier Will Add an Extra Seven Weekly Services Between Adelaide and Melbourne and Five Services From Adelaide to Sydney. From June, Qantas Will Add Four Services on the Sydney-darwin Route, Three Between Sydney and Alice Springs, Two Additional Perth-darwin Services and One Additional Brisbane-alice Springs Service Per Week.

Airasia X Offered a ‘free’ Airfare Sale From the Gold Coast to Kuala Lumpur, With 5000 Seats Available for $137 One Way Including Taxes, From March 13-16. The Carrier Recently Celebrated Flying Its 100,000th Passenger.

Qantas Baggage Handlers at Sydney Airport Held a Stop-work Meeting on March 17, Citing Concerns Over Staffing Levels, Rostering Conditions and Poorly Maintained Equipment.

Singapore Airlines Took Delivery of Its Third Airbus A380 on March 11. Sia Has Also Announced That Its Sq638 Flight From Singapore to Tokyo Will Be Operated by the A380 From May 20. Sia Will Commence A380 Service From Singapore to London on March 11.

Singapore Airlines Made Its First A380 Passenger Flight Into London Heathrow on March 18.

Delta and United Have Announced That They Will Ground Aircraft Due to Reduce Capacity and Offset the High Cost of Fuel. Northwest is Also Studying Accelerating the Retirement of Some of Its Dc-9s.

Hawaii’s Aloha Airlines Ceased Trading Effective Midnight on March 31. The Airline Filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection Earlier That Month After It Claimed It Was Unable to Compete With Other Airlines Due to Predatory Pricing. Aloha Employed 1800 People and Had a Network Within the Hawaiian Islands as Well as Routes to Us Mainland Destinations Including Las Vegas, Orange County, Reno, Sacramento and Oakland.

Airports

Passengers, Revenues Up at Australian Airports the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Has Released Its Latest Report Into Pricing and Quality of Airports in Australia for 2006/07 Which Indicated That Passenger Revenues at Major Airports Rose Substantially Although Quality at Some Airports Has Declined.

“this Year the Accc Has Observed Airports Continuing to Benefit From Strong Growth in Passengers and Increasing Prices,” Commented Accc Chairman Graeme Samuel. “this Has Allowed Airport Operators to Increase the Profitability of Their Aeronautical Services. ” “however, the Profit Performance of the Airports Does Not Appear to Be Related to the Quality of Service They Provide. ” the Figures Show That During the 2006/07 Financial Year That Adelaide Airport Had the Biggest Increase in Aeronautical Revenue, Up 57 Per Cent. Darwin Had the Largest Increase in Passengers, Up by 15 Per Cent, and Also Had Higher Operating Expenses Per Passenger, Which Was Up 14 Per Cent.

In Terms of Quality, the Accc Report Gave Brisbane and Adelaide the Highest ‘good’ Standings, Followed by Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, Which Rated Between ‘good’ and ‘satisfactory’. Canberra and Darwin Were Rated ‘satisfactory’, Although Canberra Fell Slightly Below the ‘satisfactory’ Level During the Year.

As a Result of the Airports Enquiry Conducted by the Productivity Commission, There Will Be Some Changes to the Way the Accc Monitors Airports in Coming Years. In Particular, Canberra and Darwin Airports Will No Longer Be Monitored and Other Changes Will Be Made to How Revenues Are Defined and Reported.

Shareholders Approve Auckland Partial Takeover

Shareholders in Auckland International Airport Limited Have Approved the Partial Takeover by the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board, but the Deal Still Requires New Zealand Government Approval.

At the Close of the Offer Period on March 13, 79. 7 Per Cent of Shares Had Voted, With 57 Per Cent of These Voting in Favour of the Partial Takeover. In the End, Acceptances for 62. 5 Per Cent of Shares Were Accepted, Despite Cppib Seeking Only a 40 Per Cent Stake in the Company. All Figures Are Subject to a Final Count This Week.

With Shareholder Approval Now Given, the Partial Takeover Now Has to Be Approved by the New Zealand Government. Aial Chairman Tony Frankham Said That the Government Must Make Its Decision by April 11 or the Offer Will Lapse.

“auckland Airport Hopes That, in the Interests of Certainty and an Informed Market, the Government Ministers Concerned Will Announce Their Decision Well Before This Deadline,” Frankham Said.

“if Approval is Not Gained by This Date, the Offer Will Lapse and the Shares Offered for Sale Will No Longer Be Subject to the Bid Which Means They Will Be Free to Be Traded as Usual. ” on March 14 Credit Ratings Agency Standard & Poor’s Has Placed Aial on Creditwatch With Negative Implications Due to the Uncertainty Over the New Zealand Government’s Approval of the Takeover and Uncertainty Over Cppib’s Strategy for the Airport.

Nz Govt Intervenes in Aial Takeover the New Zealand Government Has Declared Auckland Airport as a ‘strategic National Asset,’ Leaving the Partial Takeover by the Canadian Pension Plan Board Open to Being Blocked by the Government.

The New Zealand Government Took Action by a ‘special Council’ to Declare the Airport a National Asset. This Now Means That Any Large Transactions by Foreign Companies Are Now Subject to Government Approval, Which May Be Withheld if the Investment Would Not Be in the National Interest.

Heathrow Terminal 5 Opening Less Than Smooth

the New London Heathrow Terminal 5 Experienced Massive Delays, Cancelled Flights and Irate Passengers on Its First Few Days of Operations Due to Technical Difficulties With the Terminal’s New Baggage Handling System.

Despite British Airways Proudly Claiming That the First Flight From the Terminal Departed on Time, It Was Later Revealed the Flight Left Without Its Passengers’ Luggage. The Delays Lengthened Throughout the Day Until the Airline Suspended All Check-ins and Only Allowed Those Passengers Willing to Travel With Hand Luggage Only to Check in. As Many as 40 Flights Were Cancelled on the First Day Alone, Most of Which Were Short Haul Services Within the Uk or to Europe.

Ba Blamed the Situation on Problems With “Staff Familiarisation”, Which Had a Knock-on Effect on Bags and Flights. Incoming Passengers Were Forced to Wait for More Than Two Hours in Many Cases for Their Luggage, and There Were Numerous Complaints About Misleading Signage, and Inoperable Lifts and Parking Boom-gates.

British Airways Said on Its Website That It Was Planning to Cancel 54 of Its 347 Scheduled Flights From T5 on Saturday March 29.

With the Opening of the New Terminal, British Airways is Shifting All of Its Flights Except Those Operated on the Joint Agreement With Qantas to Terminal 5. All Other Oneworld Carriers Including Qantas Will Move to Terminal 3 From September This Year. Terminal 4 Becomes Home to Most of the Non-aligned Carriers and the Skyteam Carriers Progressively From March 30, While Most Star Alliance Carriers Will Move Into Terminal 1 Later This Year. Singapore Airlines and Sas Are Planning to Stay at T3.

Airport Briefs

the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (Caas) Has Announced Plans to Expand the Budget Terminal at Changi Airport to Cater for Future Growth. Tiger Airways and Philippines Low Cost Carrier Cebu Pacific Fly From the Budget Terminal. The Expansion Will Add Seven Additional Check-in Counters and Three New Boarding Gates and Construction Will Take Place Between June 2008 and June 2009.

Windorah Shire Council Will Provide a New Terminal at Windorah Airport in the Form of a Transportable Building Which Will Accommodate Growth in Services From Macair. The Building Will Cost $140,000.

Brisbane Airport Turned 20 on March 19. Since the Opening of a New Domestic Terminal, Control Tower and Runway System in 1988, the Airport Has Handled Over 200 Million Passengers and 1. 35 Million Aircraft.

Sydney Airport Has Released Its Draft Major Development Plan for the Construction of a Larger Safety Area at the Western End of the East-west Runway. The Plan is Now Open for Comment by June 18.

The Federal Government Has Opened Applications for Its Second Round of Funding Under the Regional Aerodrome Safety Program. In This Round, $5 Million Will Be Made Available for Runway Upgrades, Fencing and Improvements to Lighting and Navaids at Regional Airstrips Which Are Used to Supply Essential Services to Regional Communities.

General Aviation

Skycatcher Takes Flight

Cessna Reports It Completed the First Flight of Its Model 162 Skycatcher Prototype on March 8.

The One Hour Flight Took Off From Cessna’s Facility Adjacent to Mcconnell Afb in Wichita, Kansas, and Landed at Nearby Mid-continent Airport Where the Aircraft Will Be Based for Its Flight Test Program.

“the First Flight of the Skycatcher is a Significant Step Ahead Toward Our Goal of Bringing an Affordable Training Aircraft to Market,” Said Jack Pelton, Cessna’s Chairman, President and Ceo. “there is a Lot of Excitement at Cessna as We Progress Through Our Many Developmental Programs and I’m Very Proud of Our Teams for Continuing to Stay on Track. ” Skycatcher Production is Scheduled to Commence Shortly With Deliveries Currently Planned for Early Next Year.

Cessna Says the 162 Will Have a Cruise Speed of 118kt (218km/h) and a Range of 470nm (870km), and is Planning to Price the Aircraft at Us$111,500 (a$121,700).

Engine Problems Ground Ga Aircraft

an Emergency Airworthiness Directive From Casa Has Grounded a Number of General Aviation Aircraft Powered by Lycoming, Teledyne Continental, Superior Air Parts and Precision Airmotive Engines Subject to an Inspection of Their Fuel Injection Servos.

The Ad Applies to Engines With Precision Airmotive Rsa-5 or Rsa-10 Series Fuel Injection Servos and Was Issued After the Faa Reported 18 Incidents Where the Fuel Injection Plugs Had Backed Out of the Threaded Plug, Leading to the Engine Running Lean and in Some Cases Causing an Engine Failure.

The Ad States That All Aircraft With Affected Engines Must Inspect the Fuel Injection Servo Plug for Any Signs of Damage to the Threads of the Flub and the Regulator Cover and Replace It if the Thread is Damaged at All. The Gasket Surrounding the Plug Must Also Be Inspected and Replaced if Damaged. The Ad Only Applies to Engines Which Have Been Overhauled Since August 22 2006.

All Aircraft Affected by the Ad Were to Be Grounded Until the Inspections Are Carried Out From Midnight on March 14. According to a Casa Press Release, the Ad Was Expected to Have Affected Up to 3000 Ga Aircraft on the Australian Register. This Suggestion Was Condemned by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (Aopa), Which Claims That Only Up 200 Aircraft Are Fitted With the Engines Which Were Directly Affected by the Ad.

A Number of Aero Clubs and Larger Ga Organisations Have Moved Quickly to Inspect Their Aircraft to Replace Any Defective Parts, With Most Aircraft Able to Return to Service.

It is Believed That Clubs and Personal Flyers in Regional Areas Have Been Harder Hit, Especially as the Inspection Must Be Carried Out by a Licensed Engineer. Late on Friday (March 14) Casa Issued an Exemption to the Ad Which Allows Pilots to Make a Quick Inspection to Allow the Aircraft to Be Moved for Further Inspections by a Lame.

Hot Aussie Glasair Heads to Us Team

Top Secret Air Racing Team, an Intrepid Sydney Team of Engineers, Has Built Arguably the Hottest Homebuilt Aircraft in Australia With a View to Taking on and Beating the World at the Popular Reno Air Races in Nevada in September.

The Aircraft is a Modified Glasair Super Iii Which Features a Reprofiled Wing Complete With Winglets, Composite Components, a Lowered Upper Fuselage and More Steeply Raked Windscreen, and a Lycoming Io-580 Rated at More Than 600hp (450kw)! Ian Baker of Wiltshire Engineering Says the Aircraft Should Be Good for More Than 400kt in Level Flight, and Plans to Prove It When It Attempts a Series of Five Kilometres Speed Runs at Mojave Airport in California in June.

To Prepare for Its Mojave and Reno Bids, the Team Has Shipped the Glasair to Chino Airport Near Los Angeles Where It Will Join Forces With the Renowned Dago Red Air Racing Team Which Runs the Famous Dago Red Mustang.

For More Visit Www. Teamtopsecret. Net.

General Aviation Briefs

New Zealand Based Company Flight Experience Has Opened Its First Simulator in Australia at the Qv1 Building in Melbourne. Flight Experience Uses a Low Level, Uncertified Boeing 737-800 Simulator and Gives the Public the Opportunity to Virtually Fly Into a Number of Airports Across the World.

Avidyne Has Received a Supplemental Type Certificate for Its New ‘envision’ Integrated Flightdeck for the Cessna 400 Series of Piston Twins. Under the Stc, the Panel of a 400 Series Can Now Be Retrofitted With New Primary Flight Displays and a New Autopilot Aimed at Increasing Situational Awareness.

Helicopters New Zealand is One of 13 Customers to Sign a Letter of Intent to Procure Eurocopter’s New Ec 175 Launched at Heli-expo 2008 in Houston, Texas, in February.

Flight Training Adelaide Has Taken Delivery of Its Second Hughes 300 Helicopter. Fta Uses the 300s as Part of a Training Program for Cadets of the Hong Kong Government Flying Service.

Seabird Aviation Australia Has Been Awarded ‘airframe Oem of the Year for Asia-pacific’ by Consulting Firm Frost & Sullivan. Seabird Received the Award on March 14 at a Function in Singapore.

Fedex Has Donated Us$10,000 (a$11,709) to the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s Southeast Section. The Money Will Enable the Rfds to Buy a New Propaq Monitor for Its Newest Beechcraft King Air (Vh-mvw) Which Will Be Based in Broken Hill.

Hawker Beechcraft Company Celebrated Its First Full Year Since It Was Bought From Raytheon Aircraft Services. Hbc is Owned by Onex and Gs Capital Partners, a Subsidiary of Goldman Sachs.

Alpha Aviation Group’s Receivers Have Put the Company’s Service and Parts Divisions Up for Sale.

Lancair Flew Its First Evolution Turboprop Powered Light Aircraft on March 21.

Business Aviation

Guflstream Launches G650

Gulfstream Has Launched Its Largest and Longest Ranged Business Jet, the G650.

The G650 is a New Design and Features a 2. 49m Wide Cabin and Will Have a Range of 7000nm (12,970km) at a Mach . 85 Cruising Speed. The Aircraft Will Be the Fastest Production Civil Aircraft With a Maximum Speed of Mach . 925, and Will Be Able to Cruise at an Altitude of 51,000ft, Well Above Airline Traffic.

The Cockpit of the G650 Will Feature Gulfstream’s Planeview Ii System, Which Includes Two 36cm Lcd Displays, Three Tablet Computers and Synthetic Vision and Heads-up Displays. It Will Be Powered by Rolls-royce Br725 Engines Producing 16,100lb (71. 6kn) of Thrust, More Powerful but More Economical Than the Br710s Which Power the Smaller G550.

The G650 is Seen as Competing in a New Segment Between the Existing Large Cabin Bizjets and Those Based on Airliners, Such as the Boeing Business Jet (Bbj) and Airbus Corporate Jet (Acj). Its Closest Competitor is Likely to Be the Bombardier Global Xrs, Which Offers a Similar Sized Cabin but Does Not Have the Range or Speed of the G650.

The New Bizjet is Scheduled to Fly in the Second Half of 2009 and Will Be Certified in 2011, With Entry Into Service in 2012. With an Estimated Price of Us$58. 5m (a$62. 8m), Orders Will Be Taken From April This Year.

Gulfstream Will Build the Aircraft at Its Savannah, Georgia, Plant Initially at a Rate of 35-45 Aircraft Per Year.

“This is an Exciting Time in Gulfstream’s History. For 50 Years, Our Company Has Been on the Forefront of Business Jet Aviation. I Can Think of No Better Way to Celebrate Our Golden Anniversary Than to Introduce the Gulfstream G650,” Said Gulfstream President Joe Lombardo. “Created With Significant Input From Customers Who Participate in Our Advanced Technology Customer Advisory Team, a Subset of Our Customer Advisory Board, the G650 Offers the Most Advanced Flightdeck and the Widest Array of Cabin Comforts. Its Performance and Aesthetics Are Unprecedented. ”

Embraer Launches Two New Bizjets

the Board of Embraer Has Approved the Launch of Two New Midsize Business Jets to Join the Smaller Phenom Light Jets and Larger Legacy and Lineage Series.

To Be Dubbed Mlj (Medium-light Jet) and Msj (Mid-size Jet), the Pair’s Us$750m (a$818m) Development Cost Will Reportedly Be Supported by Risk-sharing Partners. The Msj Will Be First to Market With a Planned Service Entry in Late 2012, to Be Followed by the Mlj in 2013. The Two Aircraft Will Feature Common Fuselage Cross Sections and Key Systems Such as Engines and Avionics.

The Msj is Designed to Carry Eight Passengers 2800nm (5200km), While the Mlj Will Carry Four Passengers 2300nm (4400km).

Business Aviation Briefs

Gulfstream Has Tested a New ‘fly-by-light’ System Which Replaces Traditional Wire Looms With a Single Fibre Optic ‘backbone’ to Send Flying Inputs to the Aircraft’s Primary Flight Control Surfaces on a Gv. Fly-by-light Could Lead to Significant Weight Savings and Increased Safety Over Current Fly-by-wire Systems.

Execujet Has Launched a New Type of Fractional Ownership Scheme for Widebody Vip Aircraft Which Will Allow Purchasers to Secure Full Use of the Aircraft for Five Years With the Choice of Using It for Other Work to Offset the Costs. Execujet Would Support the Aircraft’s Operations and Aoc While the Owner Would Maintain Control of the Aircraft for the Five Year Period.

Embraer Has Completed Wing and Fuselage Assembly and Mated the Engines to the First Phenom 300 Business Jet. The Jet is Due to Enter Service in 2009.

Hawker Pacific Has Been Shortlisted as a Major Partner to Establish a Business Jet Fbo and Mro at Malaysia’s Skypark Subang Airport. Execujet and Jet Aviation Have Also Been Shortlisted.

Airbus is Offering Increased Range for Its A318 Elite Business Jet by Installing an Extra Central Fuel Tank in the Aircraft’s Rear Cargo Hold. The Extra Tank Increases the Capacity of the Aircraft by 3300 Litres, Giving It an Extra 400-500nm of Range.

Cargo

Qantas May Face Accc Over Price Fixing

Qantas Freight Could Face Substantial Fines From the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Accc) for Price Fixing on Cargo Fuel Surcharges.

The Accc Has Been Investigating the Cartel-like Behaviour of Qantas Freight and a Number of Other Air Freight Operators for Over 19 Months. The Investigations Focus on a Move by Major Freight Carriers to Fix the Price of Fuel Surcharges on Air Cargo.

The Investigation Follows Several Other Ones in the United States and Europe, and Qantas Has Already Agreed to Pay a Us$61 Million (a$66m) Fine From the Us Department of Justice. The Carrier Has Also Made a Provision of $64 Million This Year for Further Fines, and There is Some Indication That Qantas Wants to Negotiate an Appropriate Fine With the Accc.

Qantas is Also Facing a Civil Action Led by Lawyers From Maurice Blackburn. The Law Firm Has Brought a Class Action Against Qantas and Five Other Carriers Over the Price Fixing Scandal and is Seeking $200 Million in Restitution for Clients Who Were Forced to Pay Unnecessarily High Charges. The Lawsuit is Independent of the Accc’s Investigation, but Will No Doubt Draw on the Results of It.

Environment

Greening Australia and the Tasmanian Government Will Work Together to Offset the Emissions Created by Public Servants and Politicians From Their Air Travel. The Scheme Will See the Tasmanian Government Fund Efforts by Greening Australia to Rehabilitate Vegetation Around the Derwent River to Offset the Emissions Created From Air Travel.

Qantas Has Selected Agl and Fieldforce as Preferred Providers to the Qantas Group Carbon Offset Scheme.

Continental Airlines Has Announced That It Will Conduct a Biofuel Test Flight on a Boeing 737ng in Conjunction With Ge and Boeing. The Test Flight Will Take Place in Early 2009 and It is Not Yet Known What Material the Biofuel May Be Derived From.

Finance

Eads ‘strong Result’ Despite Loss

Eads Has Reported a Net Loss of Eur446m (a$738m) for 2007, but Labelled It a “strong Performance. ” Despite the Net Loss, Earnings Before Interest and Tax (Ebit) Was Close to Breakeven at Eur52m (a$86m). This Was Nevertheless Down Dramatically Compared to the Previous Year’s Ebit of Eur399m (a$660m). Research and Development Costs on a Number of Programs and the Weaker Us Dollar Were Blamed for the Lower Result.

Eads Group Revenue for the Year Was Eur39. 1bn (a$65bn), Down by Eur300m (a$496m) on the Previous Year. The Drop Was Largely Driven by Lower Revenues in the Military Transport Aircraft Division and the Defence and Security Divisions. Eurocopter and the Eads Astrium Space Division Both Recorded Higher Revenues During the Year.

Despite Strong Sales, Airbus Recorded a Wider Loss Before Interest and Tax of Eur881m (a$1. 45bn). This Was Mostly Due to the Weaker Us Dollar, Charges as Part of the Power8 Restructuring and Development Costs for the A350. Charges Relating to the Development of the Airbus Military A400m Transport Also Dragged Down the Airframer.

While Noting That 2007 Had Been Challenging, Eads Ceo Louis Gallois Said That the Company Was Now Well Positioned to Improve During 2008. “we Have Fixed a Lot of Issues, and Our Cash Situation Allows Us Flexibility in the Face of Global Economic Challenges. We Are Cautious by Nature, but I Feel Eads is Establishing a Firm Footing on Higher Ground. ” Eads Issued Profit Guidance That It Expects Ebit for 2008 to Be Eur1. 8bn (a$3bn), and Expects This to Be Driven by Strong Deliveries at Airbus. This Could Be Boosted by the Sale of a Number of Airbus Facilities in Europe as Part of the Power8 Restructuring Which Should Be Completed This Year. This Profit Could Still Be Threatened if the Us Dollar Continues to Decline Against the Euro.

Embraer’s Full Year Unaudited Net Profit Was Us$500m (a$537m) on Revenue of Us$5. 2bn ($5. 6bn). At December 31, the Manufacturer’s Backlog Was Valued at Over Us$18. 8bn (a$20. 2bn) and Included 764 Firm Orders and 786 Options on All Aircraft.

Allco on the Edge

Allco Finance Group, Which Leases a Number of Aircraft to Qantas, is Close to the Edge Due to Problems Stemming From the Global Credit Crunch.

One of Afg’s Major Shareholders, Allco Principle Investments Pty Ltd, Has Announced That It Has Appointed an Administrator After the National Australia Bank Took Possession of a Number of Afg Shares as Payment for Loans to Api.

The Administrators Appointed to Api Have Also Been Appointed to 15 Other Afg Subsidiaries, Including Allco Aviation Lease Surety Co Which is Believed to House Most of the Group’s Aircraft Assets.

At the Time of Writing There Were No Reports of the Aircraft Leasing Portfolio Being Sold, but This Looks Likely to Happen Soon. It is Expected That Lessors Including Boc Aviation, Awas and Dae Capital May Be Interested in Purchasing Allco’s Fleet of 47 Aircraft Which Are Leased to Airlines Including Qantas, Emirates and Eva Airways.

Allco’s Current Woes Could Be a Blow for Qantas’s Plans to Form a Joint Venture Aircraft Leasing Company, Currently Known as ‘fleetco’. Allco Was Seen as a Likely Partner in Fleetco, Given the Relationship Which the Finance Company Already Had With the Airline.

Qantas Had Already Postponed a Decision on Demerging Fleetco Due to the Effects of the Current Credit Volatility on Infrastructure Funds.

Security

Wa Police Made a Record Drug Seizure Aboard a Piper Aztec Which Arrived at Jandakot Airport Near Perth on March 6. Police Found Nearly $80 Million Worth of Ecstasy and Methyl Amphetamine on Board the Aircraft and Took the Pilot and Passenger Into Custody. As a Ga Airport, Flyers Using Jandakot Are Not Security Screened.

Maintenance, Support & Training

Southwest Fined Over Missed Inspections Southwest Airlines is Facing a Proposed Us$10m (a$10. 7m) Fine by the Us Federal Aviation Administration for Not Completing Required Inspections on 46 of Its Boeing 737s.

Under an Airworthiness Directive Issued in 2004, External and Eddy Current Inspections on Older 737s at Every 4500 Flight Cycles Were Mandated to Detect Signs of Fatigue Cracking on the Fuselage Skin. The Faa Claims That the Airline Continued to Operate 46 Aircraft Between June 2006 and March 2007 Which Had Not Been Inspected at the Correct Interval and the Carrier Was Not Aware That the Aircraft Had Reached Their Interval Until March 14 2007.

But Southwest Defends Itself, Saying That It Received Advice From Boeing That the Aircraft Continued to Operate Safely and That Southwest Acted Responsibly. Ceo Gary Kelly Told Cnn on March 7 That the Company Had Became Aware That Some Aircraft Had Missed the Inspection Interval and Had Voluntarily Reported It to the Faa and Worked With Them on an Appropriate Remedy to Inspect the Relevant Aircraft. “our Interpretation of the Guidance That We Got From the Faa at the Time Was That We Were in Compliance With All Laws and Regulations. I Think the Faa Has a Different View of That Today,” He Said.

Following the Proposal of the Fine, Southwest Grounded 38 737-300s to Conduct Inspections on March 12, With the Majority Returning to Service Two Days Later. The Carrier Also Placed Three Employees on ‘administrative Leave’ Over the Incident and Has Promised to Work on Its Maintenance Controls to Ensure That Subsequent Inspections Are Not Missed.

Maintenance, Support & Training Briefs

Boeing Formally Launched Its Australian Branch of Its Phantom Works Research and Development Organisation on March 11. Headed by Al Bryant, Phantom Works’s Australian Presence Groups Together 30 Scientists, Researchers and Senior Engineers From Existing Boeing Australia and Hawker De Havilland Projects, Including Composite Resin Infusion, Robotics, Precision Coatings, Ageing Aircraft Maintenance, Uav Operations in Civil Airspace, Network Centric Operations and Aerospace Environmental Applications. The Launch Was Held in Canberra and Was Attended by Industry Minister Senator Kim Carr.

Qantas Has Announced It Will Establish a New Customer Service Centre of Excellence in Sydney by October That Will Provide Training for More Than 18,000 Staff From Across the Qantas Group.

Qantas Has Announced That Its Two Catering Operations, Qantas Flight Catering Limited and Caterair, Will Be Merged Together Under the ‘q Catering’ Brand. Qantas’s Frozen Meals Operation, Snap Fresh, Will Continue to Operate Under Its Own Brand.

Air Safety

Qantas 747 Rejects Takeoff at Lax a Qantas Boeing 747-400 Deflated Three Tyres at Los Angeles International Airport After Crew Elected to Reject a Takeoff Due to Warning Signals in the Cockpit.

The Qf12 Flight From Los Angeles to Sydney Was Due to Takeoff at 11pm Local Time and Had Completed a Normal Boarding, Taxi and Takeoff Run. During the Takeoff Run a Warning Alarm Reportedly Sounded in the Cockpit, and the Pilots Decided Quickly to Reject the Takeoff and Engaged the Aircraft’s Brakes. This Sudden Slowing Force Overheated the Brakes Causing Safety Valves in Three Main Gear Tyres to Release. The Valves Are Designed to Blow Before an Overheated Tyre Explodes.

The Aircraft Remained on the Runway for Some Time Before Airstairs Were Brought to Disembark the 232 Passengers From the Aircraft. Qantas Then Dispatched Another 747 From Sydney to Pick Up the Passengers From the Affected Flight. Most Passengers Chose to Take the Delayed Flight Back While Others Changed Flights Due to Other Commitments.

Qantas Has Not Yet Commented on the Incident and Casa, the Atsb and the Us Faa Are Investigating.

And in Another Incident Involving a Qantas 747, a 747-300 Flying From Perth to Sydney Was Forced to Divert Into Adelaide on March 29 After a Business Class Window Cracked and “popped” in Flight. The Captain Reportedly Told the Passengers That the Situation Was Not an Emergency and That the Diversion Was Purely Precautionary.

Air Safety Briefs

The Us Based Flight Safety Foundation Has Signed an Agreement of Cooperation With the Aviation Safety Foundation-australasia. Under the New Agreement, the Asfa Will Gain Full Access to Fsf’s Databases and the ‘aerosafety World’ Magazine.

The Atsb Has Released Its Preliminary Report Into the Hard Landing of a National Jet Operated Qantaslink Boeing 717 at Darwin International Airport Earlier This Year. The Report Says That the Jet Bounced on the Runway, Causing Serious Wrinkling in the Fuselage. The Investigation is Continuing and Will Be Focused on Crew Procedures and Training, Recorded Data and Weather.

Indonesian Carrier Adam Air Has Been Grounded by the Country’s Air Safety Authority Due to Major Safety Violations. The Airline Has Recently Had 12 Aircraft Seized Due to Overdue Lease Payments and Major Investor Pt Bhakti Investama Has Announced That It Intends to Sell Out Its Stake in the Airline.

People

Macair General Manager Kevin Gill Has Resigned to Take Up a General Management Role at Queensland Airports Limited.

Airport Consultancy Airbiz Has Appointed Jim Diomides as a New Consultant.

The Regional Aviation Association of Australia (Raaa) Has Announced That Paul Tyrrell Has Been Be Appointed as Its New Ceo, Effective From Monday May 5. He Replaces Terry Wesley-smith, Who Has Retired.

Events

Asia Pacific Aviation Summit Set for July Terrapin Has Announced Details of Its Australia Pacific Aviation Summit, Which Will Be Held This Year Over July 28-31 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney.

Key Speakers Include James Hogan From Etihad Airways, Azran Osman-rani From Airasia X, Tony Davis From Tiger Airways, Alan Joyce From Jetstar and Brett Godfrey From Virgin Blue. The Summit Will Also Include the Australia Pacific Airports Forum on July 31, Which is Dedicated to the Issues Facing Airports in the Region.