News Desk

Ana Said in a Statement That It Had Reached Agreement With Boeing “on the Delivery Schedule of the Delayed 787, and Also on the Provision of Additional Aircraft to Minimise the Impact of the Delay on Ana’s Business Plan,” Which Will Now See It Take Only Six Aircraft Per Year From August 2009 Until 2017. This Has Delayed Individual Aircraft Deliveries by Between 14 and 36 Months.

In the Interim, Ana Said That It Will Introduce Nine Boeing 767-300ers During the 2010 and 2011 Financial Years, and Will Also “revise the Retirement Schedule of Its Present Fleet and Its Maintenance Schedule. ” It is Understood That the Delays Could Roll on Longer Depending on How Quickly the Machinists Strike at Boeing, Still on-going at the Time of Writing, Can Be Resolved.

Airbus Opens Chinese Assembly Facility

Airbus Officially Opened Its Chinese Final Assembly Plant in Tianjin on September 28, in the Presence of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Airbus President and Ceo Tom Enders.

The Tianjin Final Assembly Line China (Falc), Which is a Joint Venture Between Airbus, China Aviation Industry Corporation (Avic) and Tianjin Free Traze Zone, Will Assemble A230 Family Aircraft for the Chinese Market.

“the Opening of the Falc is an Historic Event for Airbus and for the Aviation Industry,” Said Enders. “the First Airbus Final Assembly Line Outside Europe Highlights the Importance We Attach to Growing Our Partnership With China, One of the Most Important Aviation Markets Today and Certainly Tomorrow. ” Airbus Shipped the First A320 Final Assembly Kit to Tianjin Earlier This Year, and the First Chinese Assembled Aircraft is Due Off the Line in Mid 2009, for Delivery to Sichuan Airlines Through Dragon Aircraft Leasing. By 2011, the Facility Will Be Producing Four Aircraft a Month.

Airbus Also Used the Occasion to Sign a Separate Agreement With the Civil Aviation Authority of China for Greater Cooperation Between the Two Organisations on Air Safety Issues. The Mou Covers a Five-year Cooperation Program in the Areas of Rules and Regulations Training for Chinese Aviation Authorities, Maintenance Operation Support for Airlines, Air Traffic Management (Atm) Technologies and Concepts and a “train the Trainer” Program for Chinese Aviation Institutes and Universities.

“within This Partnership, Regulators, Operators and Airbus, as Manufacturer, Work Closely Together to Further Enhance the Safety Standards in Chinese Civil Aviation and Ensure Future Interoperability of Atm Systems in the World,” Said Enders.

New Twin Offer Makes First Flight

Viking Air’s Series 400 Twin Otter Technology Demonstrator Made Its First Flight on October 21, Marking an Important Step in the Program to Put the Venerable 19 Seater Backing Production.

The Flight Was Made From Viking Air’s Facility in Victoria International Airport in British Columbia, Canada.

The Technology Demonstrator Aircraft, Officially Dubbed Viktoria, is a Modified Dhc-6-300 Which Incorporates a Number of Modifications Which Will Be Standard on the New Built Dhc-6-400. These Include Pratt & Whitney Canada Pt6a-34 Turboprop Engines and a Modern Honeywell Primus Apex Avionics Suite. The Particular Aircraft Was Also Fitted With Wipline 13000 Amphibious Floats.

The Series 400 Program Was Launched Last Year by Viking Air, Which Also Provides Oem Support to the Full ‘heritage’ De Havilland Canada Range of Aircraft From the Dhc-1 to the Dhc-7 Dash 7. The Company Has Orders for Over 40 Twin Otters From Customers Including Zimex Aviation, Trans Maldivian Airways, Loch Ard Otters and the Us Army, While Malaysia Airlines is Also Expected to Firm Up an Order for Its Maswings Subsidiary.

Airbus Closes Wing Manufcaturing Plant Sale to Gkn

Airbus Has Reached an Agreement With Automotive and Aerospace Parts Manufacturer Gkn to Sell Its Filton, Uk Based Aircraft Wing Component and Assembly Facility, Although Airbus Will Retain Key Design Functions Also Based at Filton.

The Disposal Has Long Been Earmarked as Part of Airbus Parent Company Eads’s Power8 Cost Cutting Plan, With Gkn Long Rumoured to Be the Favoured Bidder for the Facility.

The Manufacturing Unit at Filton Comprises Approximately 1500 Employees, and is Responsible for Producing Various Wing Components Including Leading and Trailing Edges, Outer Wingbox Assemblies, Ducting and Other Components for the Full Range of Airbus Airliners and the A400m Military Transport. The Facility Will Also Produce a Number of Components for the A350 Xwb.

Airbus Will Retain the Majority of the Design and Engineering Work Conducted at Filton, Including Its Composites Structures Development Centre and A400m Wing Assembly and Equipping Centre. Also Unaffected is the Airbus Wing Assembly Site at Broughton in North Wales, Which Produces and Delivers Wings for the Whole Airbus Commercial Aircraft Family.

Air New Zealand to Fit 767 Winglets

Air New Zealand Became the First Australasian Carrier to Commit to the New Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglets for the Boeing 767-300er, Announcing on September 17 That It Will Fit Winglets to Five 767s Progressively From July Next Year.

Apb’s Blended Winglets for the 767 Are Currently Undergoing Certification Testing on an American Airlines Aircraft, With Certification Expected by the End of the Year. Apb Says It Expects the Winglets to Yield Up to a Five Per Cent Improvement.

AIRBUS TO TAKE ON 787

Airbus Has Released Details of Its Second Round of Cost Cutting Measures, Dubbed Power8 Plus, as Part of a Plan to Deal With the Weak Us Dollar by Its Parent Company Eads.

Under Power8 Plus, Airbus Hopes to Provide €650m (a$1. 14bn) in Cost Savings in 2012, in Addition to the €2. 1bn (a$3. 7bn) in Savings Under the Original Power8 Program. The Savings Will Come From Extending Original Power8 Programs Until 2012, and Will Also Come Through “further Internationalisation of Engineering and Manufacturing Work”.

“power8 is the Centrepiece in Airbus’s Restructuring and Integration Efforts and We Have Been Very Successful in Achieving Our Targets So Far,” Said Tom Enders, Airbus President and Ceo. “however, Markets and Competition Remain Challenging. Further Measures to Improve Our Cost Base and Overall Efficiency Are Necessary to Secure the Long Term Competitiveness of Our Company. By Pushing Forward With Internationalisation We Secure Growth, We Take Advantage of Lower Cost Structures, We Access Talent on a World-wide Basis and, Simultaneously, Support Employment and Core Competences in Europe”.

As Part of the Program of “internationalisation”, Airbus Has Announced That It Will Set Up a Factory in Tunisia to Take Advantage of Lower Costs There. Airbus Had Previously Signalled That It Would Move Some Production Facilities Out of the Euro Zone to Lower Its Relative Cost Base, Which Has Increased in Recent Years Due to the Strength of the Euro Over the Us Dollar.

Airbus to Take on 787 With A330-200hgw?

Airbus is Considering Offering a Higher Gross Weight Version of Its A330-200 Which Could Compete With the Boeing 787, Which It Claims Will Not Meet Performance Targets.

According to Airbus’s Investor Marketing Director Derek Davies, Who Introduced the Aircraft at a Us Valuation Conference Organised by Commercial Aviation Online, the A330-200hgw Could Be Ready by 2010, at Which Point Only 20 787-8s Are Expected to Be in Service. The Heavier A330 Would Have a Maximum Takeoff Weight of 242 Tonnes, an Increase of Five Tonnes to the Baseline A330-200, Giving It a Range of 6840nm (12,676km).

According to Davies, the Aircraft Would Have 120nm (222km) More Range Than the 216 Tonnes 787-8, Although Official Figures From Boeing Show the 787-8 as Having a Range of Between 7650nm and 8000nm (14,176-14,825km). He Also Said That “market Intelligence” Obtained by Airbus Claims That the First 20 787s Will Have a Two Per Cent Higher Fuel Burn Than Expected and “tonnes” of Extra Operating Empty Weight.

The A330-200hgw is Believed to Have Emerged From the Plans for the Original A350 Concept, Which Was to Have Been Largely Based on the A330 With Newer Generation Engines and Longer Range. There is Also Speculation That Airbus May Offer a Heavier Version of the Bigger A330-300 in Order to Steal the March on the Larger 787-9, the First of Which is Not Due to Be Delivered to Launch Customer Air New Zealand Until 2012.

If It Formally Launches the Aircraft, the Heavier A330 Could Be Targeted at Airlines Which Have Placed Orders for the 787 but Already Operate A330s, Such as Qantas.

Commercial Briefs

China Aviation Industry Corporation 1 (Avic 1) is Planning for the First Flight of the Arj21 Regional Jet to Take Place on September 21. Five Arj21s Have Reportedly Been Built, With Three Expected to Be Used in the Flight Testing Program.

• French Caribbean Carrier Air Caraibes Has Signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Three A350-1000s, Making It the European Launch Customer for the Biggest Member of the A350 Family.

• Japan Air Lines Will Receive Nine Boeing 767-300ers and Two 777-300ers From 2010 as Part of Its Compensation for Delays to the 787 Dreamliner. Jal Has Not Said if the Aircraft Will Be Bought or Leased From Boeing.

• Swiss Based Ruag Aerospace, Which Has Announced Plans to Restart Production of the Dornier 228 in 2007, Has Appointed Ian Blackie of Carluke International Pty Ltd as Its Australian Sales Agent for the Do228 Next Generation Aircraft. Blackie is a Former Director of Hawker Pacific and Has Extensive Experience in Aircraft Sales Throughout Australia and Asia.

Sales

Croatia Airlines Has Converted Options It Was Holding on Two Q400 Nextgen Turboprops to Firm Orders, and Has Taken Options on an Additional Four Aircraft.

Nigerian Carrier Arik Air Has Ordered Three Airbus A340-500s, Which Represent Three Aircraft Cancelled Recently by Indian Carrier Kingfisher Airlines.

Military

Caribou to Be Retired in 2009?

The Raaf is Considering Whether or Not to Retire Its Fleet of 14 Dhc-4 Caribou Tactical Transports Next Year Following the Discovery of Fatigue Cracking and Corrosion on the Fleet’s Airframes and Various Systems.

Although the Raaf Had Planned to Operate the Fleet Through Until 2012, the Decision to Bring the Retirement Date Forward is Under Consideration Following a Caribou Suffering Severe Damage to Its Left Wing and Upper Fuselage After Was What Was Previously Reported as a ‘hard Landing’ in Papua New Guinea in August. The Cause of the Damage Has Since Been Attributed to a Structural Failure Caused by Severe Fatigue.

Although Nothing Has Been Officially Announced, Sources Say the Caribou’s Transport Capability in Regions Such as Png and East Timor Could Be Temporarily Covered by Army King Airs Until a Permanent Replacement Can Be Provided Through the Delayed Air 8000 Phase 2 Project.

Hercs Back in Service

the Raaf’s Fleet of C-130 Hercules Returned to Normal Flying Activities on September 26 After Restrictions Were Put on the Type Following an Incident on September 15 With a C-130h.

The Incident Involved a Hercules on a Training Flight Which Encountered a Fault With Its Nose Landing Gear, and Was Forced to Return to Raaf Base Richmond on September 15.

Group Captain Gary Martin, Officer Commanding of No. 86 Wing, Said “an Air Force Investigation, Conducted in Consultation With Dsto and the Aircraft Manufacturer Lockheed Martin, Has Concluded That the Nose Landing Gear Failure Was an Isolated Instance Caused by a Manufacturing Defect That Posed Low Risk to Other Aircraft in the Fleet. ” Since the Incident, All Australian C-130s Have Been Limited to Essential Flying Only Until the Cause of the Landing Gear Failure Was Established. The Raaf Operates 24 C-130s From Raaf Base Richmond Providing Combat Airlift Capability.

C-17 Achieves Aeromed Ioc

the Raaf’s Fleet of Five Boeing C-17 Globemaster Iiis Has Achieved Initial Operating Capability (Ioc) for Its Aeromedical Evacuation (Ame) Ability.

The Ioc Was Reached Ahead of Schedule, Thanks to the C-17s Having Already Been Involved in Two Aeromedical Evacuation Missions, Which Retrieved Five Adf Personnel in the Middle East to Various Facilities in Australia for Treatment.

During These Missions, the C-17s Were Also Able to Carry Cargo as Well as Conduct the Ame. The Raaf Says the C-17 is Well Suited to the Ame Role, Thanks to Its Integral Litter Bays, Oxygen, Power and Excellent Lighting. The Increased Reach Capability and Speed Allows for Faster Long-haul Retrievals Than Previously Possible in a Much More Comfortable Environment Than Other Aircraft in the Adf Fleet.

Blame Game Erupts Over Further A400m Delays

an Argument Has Erupted in the European Media Over the Latest Delays to Hit the Airbus A400m Military Transport Program.

Airbus Parent Eads Announced on September 24 That First Flight of the A400m Will Now Not Take Place Until 2009 After What It Says is the “unavailability of the Propulsion System. ” Airbus Had Previously Hoped to Fly the Aircraft Before the End of the Northern Summer After About 50 Hours of Flight Trials Aboard a C-130, but That Testbed is Still Yet to Fly at the Time of Writing.

One of the Partners in the Europrop Consortium Charged With Supplying the A400m’s Tp400-d6 Turboprops, Safran, Countered With a Release of Its Own the Following Day, Stating That, “the Eight Tp400 Turboprop Engines for the First Two A400m Flight Test Models Have Been Delivered to Airbus Military”, and That “the Control Software for These Engines, Also Covering Control of the Propeller and the Nacelle, Which Are the Responsibility of Airbus Military, Are Currently in the Final Phase of Compliance With Civil Aviation Standards. ”

Retention Bonuses for Raaf Atc

the Raaf Will Pay Its Air Traffic Controllers and Other Airfield Trades Personnel Retention Bonuses in an Effort to Stop Them Leaving for Higher Paying Civilian Positions.

A Bonus of $30,000 Will Be Paid to the Raaf’s 150 Air Traffic Controllers, While Targeted Retention Bonuses of $20,000 Will Be Paid to Airfield Electricians, Plumbers and Carpenters in an Effort to Keep Them in the Raaf. Personnel Will Be Asked to Complete a Further Two Years of Service in Return for Receiving the Bonuses.

The Raaf is Conducting an Ongoing Review Into the Remuneration of Atc Personnel, Including Strengthening Base Remuneration, Improving Location Stability and Enhancing Atc Career Paths.

Tanker Wars – the Political Menace!

The Pentagon Has Postponed the Oft-delayed Kc-x Requirement for 179 Air-to-air Tankers, Deferring the Tender Process Into 2009 and a New Presidential Administration Because It Fears It Cannot Conduct a Fair Competition Before Then.

“it Has Now Become Clear That the Solicitation and Award Process Cannot Be Accomplished by January,” Defence Secretary Dr Robert Gates Said in a Statement. “thus, I Believe That Rather Than Hand the Next Administration an Incomplete and Possibly Contested Process, We Should Cleanly Defer This Procurement to the Next Team. ” the Decision by Gates to Defer the Tender is Seen as a Win for Boeing, Which Had Called for a Delay of Six Months So It Could More Closely Study Options for Offering a Larger Aircraft Than the Kc-767at to Better Compete With Northrop Grumman/eads’s A330-based Kc-30. Boeing is Believed to Be Refining Concepts for Possible Tanker Versions of Its Commercial 767-400 and 777f Models, Although Observers Cite Difficulties in Developing a ‘kc-764′ Due to Challenges in Integrating a Refuelling Boom Into That Aircraft’s Stretched Aft Fuselage, and Note the 777 May Be Too Large for the Requirement. But This Latest Delay May Allow Boeing to Look at Developing the 787 Into a Tanker, Something Which It Had Previously Ruled Out.

But the Delay May Also Give the Northrop Grumman/eads Team Time to Refine Its Bid, With Reports That the Kc-30 Could Be Offered With the More Efficient General Electric Genx Engines as Fitted to the 787. Much of the Design Work for Such a Combination Was Done as Part of Airbus’s Original A350 Concepts From Several Years Ago.

Airbus is Also Looking at Increasing the Maximum Takeoff Weight of the A330-200 by Up to Five Tonnes to Better Compete Against the 787, Which Could Also Be Applied to the Tanker Variant, Thus Offering Even Greater Uplift and Offload Capabilities.

Military Briefs

Lockheed Martin Announced on October 1 That the Conventional Takeoff and Landing F-35a Lightning Ii Had Notched Up Its 50th Flight, and That It is Preparing the Short Takeoff/vertical Landing F-35b to Transition Between Conventional Flight and Vertical Landings.

Brazil Has Shortlisted the Boeing F-18e/f Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale and Saab Gripen for Its F-x2 Fighter Contest. A Decision on the Type Competition is Expected Late Next Year.

The Pentagon Has Bought 18 Alenia G222 Transport Aircraft Formerly Used by the Italian Air Force, Which Will Be Refurbished Before Being Transferred to the Afghan National Army Air Corps.

An Raaf F/a-18 Hornet Was Forced to Make an Emergency Landing at Raaf Base Williamtown on September 26 for an Unspecified Reason. Amateur Video Footage Showed the Aircraft Streaming Fuel Whilst on Finals for Landing at Williamtown With Its Arrestor Hook Deployed. The Adf Says the Aircraft Made a Safe Arrested Landing After Declaring a Mayday, and That the Combined Base/airport’s Main Runway Was Closed for 30 Minutes After the Landing.

The University of South Australia and University of Adelaide Have Joined Forces to Establish the New Defence Systems Innovation Centre, Which Aims to Combat Systems Integration Issues. The Dsic, Which Will Be Led by Ceo Lloyd Groves Has Been Established With Seed Funding of $1. 2 Million Over Three Years by the Universities, and Will Bring Together University, Industry and Government Stakeholders From Across Australia to Address Defence Systems Integration Challenges.

• Us Company Adacel Has Been Awarded a Contract to Supply the Raaf With New Air Traffic Control (Atc) Tower Simulators for the Training of Air Traffic Controllers. The $7. 7 Million Deal Will See Adacel Supply and Install Two 360-degree Simulators at Raaf East Sale. The Simulators Include 360 Degree Computer-generated Views of an Airfield and Its Air Traffic Environment via 14 Visual Display Channels, and Utilise Speech Recognition Tailored to Specific International Civil Aviation Organization and Raaf Phraseologies.

• the Second Raaf F/a-18 Hornet to Receive a Centre Barrel Replacement (Cbr) Has Been Returned to Its Home Base of Raaf Williamtown in a Chartered Antonov an-124 Airlifter. The Aircraft, F/a-18b A21-107, Was Delivered Back to Williamtown After Receiving the Structural Upgrade at L-3’s Facility in Canada, and Will Be Reassembled Over the Next Few Months Before Returning to the Air. See From Pxx of This Issue for an Update on the Air 5376 Phase 3. 2c Program to Replace Hornet Cbrs.

• Boeing Has Established a New Division Within Its Integrated Defense Systems (Ids) Business Division Which It Says is Designed to Better Serve Customers in the Vast Services Market. The Defense & Government Services Will Operate as a Division of Boeing Ids’s Global Services & Support Business (Formerly Support Systems) Unit.

• Boeing Delivered the 200,000th Joint Direct Attack Munition (Jdam) Tail-kit Recently, 10 Years After Commencing Delivery in 1998.

Airlines

V Australia Delayed by Boeing Strike

Virgin Blue Has Delayed the Launch of V Australia’s Operations Due to the Boeing Strike, Which Has Delayed the Airline’s Boeing 777-300ers.

The Airline Will Now Not Start Its First Flight From Sydney to Los Angeles Until February 28, 2009, Although Its Services From Brisbane to Los Angeles, Which Are Due to Start in March Are Currently Not Affected.

“Boeing Advised Its Customers, Including V Australia, That It Cannot Predict the Duration of the Dispute and Therefore Cannot Guarantee the Delivery Date of the Airline’s Launch Aircraft,” Virgin Blue Said in a Statement.

It Also Said That Three of the Airline’s Boeing 777-300ers Are at an “advanced Stage [of] Production”, but That the Strike Would Have No Impact on the Operations of Virgin Blue, Pacific Blue of Polynesian Blue.

V Australia Has Offered Passengers Booked on Services Between the Original December 15 Launch and Its New Starting Date the Ability to Rebook on a Flight After February 28, a Flight on Another Airline or a Full Refund. Those Passengers Choosing to Still Fly With V Australia Will Be Provided With a $200 Voucher for Travel on Virgin Blue as a Measure of Goodwill.

Virgin Blue Said That Should the Strike End Prematurely and Delivery Dates for the 777s Brought Forward That It May Also Bring Forward the First Commercial Services.

Joyce Adjusts Management Team Ahead of November Appointment

Qantas Has Announced a Number of Portfolio Changes Among Its Senior Management Ahead of Ceo Designate Alan Joyce Taking Up the Top Role From November 28, Including Naming Bruce Buchanan as Joyce’s Replacement as the New Ceo of Jetstar.

As Expected Current Qantas Executive General Manager John Borghetti Will Retain His Position and Will Continue to Have Responsibility for Sales, Marketing, Network, Customer Experience and Qantaslink. From December 1, Lyell Strambi Will Take Over the Newly Created Role of Egm Operations Qantas Airline, and Will Handle Qantas’s Engineering, Pilots, Airports, Catering and Flight Training. Strambi is Currently Chief Operating Officer at Virgin Atlantic Airways, and Also Previously Worked at Ansett Australia.

With the Appointment of Strambi, Qantas’s Egm of Engineering and Maintenance, David Cox, and Egm Services Curtis Davies Will Report to Strambi Instead of to the Ceo, as Will the Airline’s New Chief Pilot, Captain Peter Wilson.

Additionally, Qantas’s Chief Risk Officer Rob Kella Will Take Responsibility for Qantas Group Safety, With Current Group General Manager of Safety Compliance and Operational Risk, Ron Bartsch, to Report to Kella.

Buchanan, Currently Jetstar’s Group General Manager Commercial, Will Assume the Role of the Low Cost Carrier’s Ceo Effective October 1. Buchanan Was Instrumental in the Establishment of Jetstar in 2003, and in Building Its Pan-asian Strategy. Buchanan Formerly Worked as a Consultant at the Boston Consulting Group.

Qantas Delays Frequent Flyer Spinoff

Due to Volatile Market Conditions, Qantas Has Postponed Its Planned Initial Public Offering for Its Frequent Flyer Business.

In a Statement Issued on September 24, the Airline Said That While It Would Delay the Ipo, That It Would Continue Preparations for a Float in the First Half of 2009. The Airline is Expected to Reap at Least $1 Billion From a Float of a Minority Stake in Its Frequent Flyer Business, Which Posted a Profit of $233. 9 Million for the 2007/08 Financial Year.

Qantas Long Haul Pilots Reject Pay Deal

Qantas’s Long Haul Pilots Have Rejected a New Enterprise Bargaining Agreement Which Had Received in Principle Support From Their Union, the Australian and International Pilots Association (Aipa).

It is Understood That 76 Per Cent of Eligible Voters Chose to Vote Against the New Agreement, Which Offered a Three Per Cent Per Annum Pay Increase for Five Years, as Well as an Extra One Per Cent in Superannuation, as Well as Linking Some Parts of a Pilot’s Remuneration Directly Related to the Company’s Performance. In Return, Qantas Was to Have Gained Productivity Improvements and Simplified Certain Conditions From Previous Ebas.

The Eba Has Been the Subject of Over 18 Months of Negotiations Between Aipa and Qantas, and Received in-principle Agreement in Late July, Although It Was Overshadowed by Industrial Action by the Airline’s Engineers at the Time.

Strategic Aviation to Launch Widebody Airline

Major Charter Broker Strategic Aviation Group Announced on October 1 That It Will Launch Its Own Widebody Charter Airline Later This Month.

To Be Called Strategic Airlines, the Carrier Will Operate a Fleet of Airbus A330-300s, and Will Offer Charter Flights and Wet Lease Operations.

“in the Current Economic Climate, Our Proven Ability to Rise Above Those Conditions is a Signal We Have the Formula Right,’’ Strategic Aviation Group Executive Director Michael James Said.

“our Solutions-oriented Approach, Together With the Flexibility to Adapt to Client and Economic Conditions, Have Been a Major Reason for Strategic’s Success. ’’ the Airline Will Be Officially Launched at the Nikon Indy 300 on the Gold Coast on October 23, but is Unlikely to Start Operating Until Late 2009. One of the First Missions for the Airline Will Likely Be the Transport of Australian Soldiers to the Middle East, for Which Strategic Holds the Contract Although the Service is Currently Operated by a European Operator.

There is Also Some Speculation That Strategic Could Provide Interim Lift for Jetstar to Cover Planned Maintenance on Its A330-200 Fleet From Next Year Prior to the Arrival of the Airline’s Boeing 787s.

Pacific Blue to Add Honiara, Wellington Services

Pacific Blue Will Add Honiara in the Solomon Airlines to Its Growing Route Network and Will Also More Frequencies on the Brisbane-wellington Route From December.

The Airline Will Operate a Twice Weekly Service Departing on Tuesdays and Thursdays From December 2.

Pacific Blue Will Also Add Three Seasonal Flights Each Week Between Wellington and Brisbane From December 1, Bringing Total Weekly Schedule to Eight Return Services.

Pacific Blue to Bali, as Airnorth Announces Exit

Virgin Blue’s Pacific Blue Subsidiary Has Confirmed It Will Start Flights From Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane to Denpasar, and Jetstar Has Announced Plans to Operated From Darwin to Denpasar, While Airnorth Will Withdraw Its Four Weekly Flights From Darwin to Denpasar From December Due to Overcapacity on the Market.

Pacific Blue Will, Subject to Regulatory Approval, Commence Direct Services From the Three Australian Ports to Denpasar From December 1, and Plans to Fly Twice Weekly From Adelaide, Five Flights Per Week From Brisbane and Four Flights Per Week From Perth. Launch Fares, Which Went on Sale From September 19 Until September 26, Started at $199 One Way From Perth and $299 One Way From Adelaide and Brisbane. Virgin Blue Will Also Offer Connections From Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne Through to Denpasar.

Jetstar Meantime Will Add a Daily Service From Darwin to Bali as the Budget Airline Continues Its Narrow-body Expansion Strategy. The Daily Service Will Be Operated by a 177-seat Airbus A320, and Will Originate From Brisbane, and Will Commence From December 3. Jetstar Will Also Offer Connections From Sydney and Melbourne Through Darwin Onto the Service, and Will Also Continue to Offer Its Direct Widebody Services.

Finally, Darwin Based Airnorth Will Cancel Its Four Times Weekly Darwin-denpasar Service From January 31 Following the News That Jetstar Will Fly a Daily Service on the Route. Airnorth Started Flying Its 76 Seat Embraer E-170 on the Route in October 2007 After Qantas Withdrew Its Services Last Year. It is Understood That Airnorth is Examining Other Possible Destinations in Southeast Asia Which Are Expected to Be Opened Up When the Carrier Receives Its Second E-170 in April 2009.

The Inbound Market to Bali Has Been Strong in Recent Years, With Abs Statistics Showing a 63 Per Cent Jump in Passengers During 2007. Garuda Indonesia Has Recently Put on More Flights to Cater for the Strong Demand From Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, and is Also Considering a Return to Brisbane, Which It Withdrew From in January 13 Last Year.

Virgin Blue to Take E-jets to Launcestion

Virgin Blue Will Launch a New Seasonal Service Between Brisbane and Launceston From December 15 Until April 4 Using a Mixture of Embraer E-190s and E-170s.

The Daily Flight Will Depart Brisbane at Midday, Arriving in Launceston at 330pm, Before Departing Again at 4pm, and Arriving at 520pm. Fares on the Route Start at $139 One Way.

While the Service Will Initially Be Seasonal, Ceo Brett Godfrey Has Left the Door Open to Operating the Service Permanently, Saying, “launceston Has Been Good to Virgin Blue, the Community Has Embraced Our Service Style, Our Affordable Fares and Our Modern Aircraft and We Have Always Maintained We Would Support the Communities That Support Us. We Have Taken a Punt by Committing Resources to This New Route and Will See How Demand for the Summer Service Goes Before Reviewing Options for an Ongoing Service. ”

Qantas to Offer Paperless Boarding

Cards Qantas Will Offer Passengers the Option of Using Their Mobile Phones and Pdas to Check in on Some Flights, as Part of a Wider Rollout of a Number of New Electronic Initiatives for Passengers.

Under the Rollout, Qantas Passengers Travelling Internationally Will Be Able to Check-in Online, While All Passengers Will Be Able to Choose Their Seat Assignment at the Time of Booking. Passengers Will Also Have the Option of Having a 2d Barcode Sent to Their Mobile Phone or Pda Which Can Be Used as a Boarding Pass.

“domestic Customers Electing to Receive Their Boarding Pass on Their Mobile Phone or Portable Device Can Have a Paperless Experience, From Booking, to Check-in to Boarding. Customers With Baggage Can Proceed Directly to the Bag Drop Facilities Before Heading Straight to Their Flight,” Said Qantas Egm John Borghetti.

“for Our International Customers, Passengers Who Have Already Checked-in Will Proceed Straight to a Dedicated Online Bag Drop Counter. ” Qantas Also Said That It is Developing a Number of New Services Which Passengers Will Be Able to Use on Their Mobile Phones and Other Portable Electronic Devices, Such as the Iphone 3g. Qantas Has Also Committed to Fitting Its Boeing 767 Fleet With Aeromobile ‘picocells’ to Allow Passengers to Use Their Mobile Phones for Text, Email and Data Inflight.

Aeropelican Drops Tamworth-newcastle

Aeropelican Air Services is Withdrawing From Its Newcastle-tamworth Service Effective September 19.

“regrettably, the Service Has Been Struggling Since Its Introduction in February This Year and Even With the Improvements Made to Our Schedule in August, Passenger Numbers Have Not Increased Enough for the Service to Be Viable,” Said the Airline’s General Manager Paul Graham. ” the Last Flight Was on Friday September 19.

Separately, Aeropelican Has Been Bought Out by a Uk Consortium Business Air Holdings, Which Includes Motogp Rider James Toseland.

Skyairworld Launches Cloncurry Flights

Brisbane Based Carrier Skyairworld Launched Its New Brisbane-cloncurry and Cairns-cloncurry Flights on September 12.

Saw Will Operate Three Times a Week on Both Routes Using a Combination of the 45-seat Embraer Erj-145 and the Larger, 76-seat E-170 Jets, With Fares Starting From $149 One Way. The Services Are Believed to Have Been Launched With the Support of a Major Mining Company Based in Cloncurry, and Are the First Scheduled Domestic Services for the Company.

Saw Recently Reduced the Frequency of Its Flights From Brisbane to Honiara, Which Are Operated by the E-170, but Has Had a Strong Showing in the Charter Market. Its Fleet of E-jets, Consisting of One E-170, One E-190 and Two Erj-145s Are Currently Operating a Number of Flights on Behalf of Air Niugini, as Well as Charters Through Northern Queensland and the Pacific Islands on Behalf of Various Clients.

Air Pacific to Fly Nadi-gold Coast

International Services From the Gold Coast Are Increasing, With Air Pacific Announcing on September 22 That It Will Introduce Twice Weekly Flights to Nadi.

Subject to Government Approval, Air Pacific Plans to Start the Services on Each Monday and Saturday From December 1, Utilising a Boeing 737-800.

Jetstar to Increase Services From Sydney and Melbourne

in a Sign That the Leisure Market May Be Starting to Improve, Jetstar Has Announced That It Will Add a Number of New Services From Sydney and Melbourne for the Northern Winter Schedule.

Commencing October 26, Jetstar Will Upgrade Its Melbourne-ballina Byron Schedule to a Daily Service, Expand Its Sydney-hobart Services to Twice Daily and Will Add Another Daily Frequency on the Sydney-avalon Routes, Bringing This to a Seven Times Daily Service. The Carrier Will Also Upgrade Its Three Times Weekly Melbourne-townsville Service to Be Operated by an A321, Providing Nearly 20 Per Cent More Seating Capacity.

Jetstar Will Also Increase Services to the Gold Coast.

Jetstar Also Announced That Its Daily Avalon-perth Flight Would Be Moved to Tullamarine, in a Move Which is Understood to Place It to Be More Competitive Against Tiger Airways, Which Will Fly Twice Daily Services on the Melbourne-perth Route From November 1.

Airline Briefs

• Qantas Will Introduce New Uniforms for Its Cabin Crew to Coincide With the Entry Into Service of the Airbus A380 From October 20.

• Pacific Blue Commenced Daily Melbourne-auckland 737-800 Services on September 22.

• Reunion Island Based Airline Air Austral Has Announced That It Will Start a Twice Weekly Service to Sydney, Which Will Continue on to Noumea From April 11. The Flights, Which Will Be Operated by a Boeing 777-300er, Will Originate in Paris and Fly Through St Denis in Reunion Before Continuing to Sydney and Noumea and Return.

Air Pacific Will End Its Twice Weekly Boeing 737-800 Nadi-honolulu-vancouver Service From November 28 Due to Losses on the Route in the Order of Fj$280,000 (a$217,252) a Month. Instead, the Airline Will Interline With Alaskan Airlines’s Flights From Los Angeles to Vancouver.

Jetstar Commenced Its Daily Osaka-gold Coast Flights on October 2. The Flights Are Operated by an A330-200, and Five Flights Per Week Will Continue on to Sydney.

Vietnam Based Jetstar Pacific Announced on September 10 That It Will Start Flights From Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok and Siem Reap. The Airline Plans to Start Daily Services to Bangkok on October 31, While Daily Services to Siem Reap Will Start on November 4. Initially Both Routes Will Be Operated by Boeing 737-400s Before Transitioning to Airbus A320s.

Airline Briefs

Macair Took Delivery of the First of Two Additional Saab 340bs Being Added to Its Fleet on September 22, With the Aircraft to Enter Service in October on Routes in the Gulf of Carpentaria. A Second Saab 340b is Due to Arrive in November, Bringing the Fleet to Eight 340bs and Two Atr 42s.

Pacific Blue Has Applied to the International Air Services Commission for an Allocation of 1980 Seats Per Week on the Indonesia Route to Allow It to Operate Its Proposed Services From Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide to Denpasar.

Rex Has Announced That It Will Withdraw From the Mildura to Sydney Route From November 2. The Airline Says the Route Has Always Been Marginal, but Was Able to Be Subsidised by Its Stronger Mildura to Melbourne Services. But Since the Entry of Virgin Blue Onto the Mildura to Melbourne Route, Rex Says It Will No Longer Be Able to Subsidise the Sydney Service.

Environment

Boeing Joins Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group

Boeing Has Teamed With a Number of Airlines, the World Wildlife Fund, the Natural Resources Defense Council and Honeywell Subsidiary Uop to Form the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group, Which Will Encourage and Promote the Use of Sustainable Biofuels in Commercial Air Transport.

Airlines Involved in the Safug Include Air France, Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Cargolux, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines, Klm, Sas and Virgin Atlantic Airways, Which Collectively Account for Approximately 15 Per Cent of Commercial Jet Fuel Use.

“the Number One Priority Going Forward is to Complete Thorough Assessments of Sustainable Plant Sources, Harvesting and Economic Impacts, and Processing Technologies That Can Help Achieve That Goal,” Said Billy Glover, Managing Director of Environmental Strategy for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The Group Has Announced That It is Supporting Two Research Projects, One of Which Will Examine the Sustainability of Jatropha for Use as a Biofuel, While Another Will Examine the Sustainability of Algae. Hopes Are That Both May Become Major Fuel Stocks for Commercial Refiners Such as Uop to Use in the Production of Alternative Jet Fuel.

Airports

Brumby Pushing for Essendon to Close – Opposition

the Victorian State Opposition Claims That the Brumby Government Has Been Pushing to Have Melbourne’s Essendon Airport Closed.

Responding to a Question by the Opposition, Victorian Premier John Brumby Said in Parliament on September 9 That Closing Essendon Was a Major Part of the Government’s Submission to the Federal Government’s Aviation Policy Paper. “it is the Government’s Policy,” Said Brumby. “it Repeats Almost Verbatim That the Government’s Policy is That in the Medium to Longer Term, Essendon Airport Should Be Closed, and That Has Been the Consistent View of the Government. ” in Industry and Trade Minister Theo Theophanous’s Submission to the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the State Government Notes That Under Its ‘melbourne 2030′ Plan That Essendon Should, in the Medium Term, “be Closed as an Airport and Transformed Into a Significant Employment and Residential Precinct. ” “the Premier’s Statements Today Will Alarm Those Employed by These Businesses, Especially Given the Uncertainty Surrounding When the Airport Might Be Closed,” Said National Party State Leader Peter Ryan on September 9.

Essendon Airport Has Been Leased Since 2001 by a Joint Venture Between Property Developer Becton Group and Logistics Group Linfox, Which Also Has the Lease on Avalon Airport.

Canberra Holding Short on Terminal Works Due to Credit Crisis

Canberra International Airport is Putting Its $250 Million Terminal Building Project on Hold Due to Concerns That the Company May Not Be Able to Source the Funds to Finance the Works Due to the Global Credit Crisis.

The Move Comes After the Airport First Put a Hold on the Project in May Due to Rising Oil Prices.

However, Prepatory Works Which Are Not Time Sensitive Will Continue, and the Airport Hopes to Be Able to Go Ahead With More Construction by Christmas.

Sydney Airport Releases Updated Master Plan

Sydney Airports Corporation Limited Has Released Its Preliminary Draft Master Plan for 2009 for Public Consultation.

The New Master Plan Outlines Sacl’s Vision for the Airport Up to 2029, and Assumes That There Will Be No Changes to Regional Airline Access, No New Runways, No Lift in the Movements Cap or the Curfew, but Will Still Be Able to Handle a Forecasted 78. 9 Million Passengers by That Time.

The Plan Forecasts an Average Growth Rate Over the 20 Years of 4. 2 Per Cent, While Movements Will Only Grow at Two Per Cent Due to More High Capacity Aircraft Movements.

“airport Facilities Including Terminals, Hangars, Aprons, Freight Facilities, Car Parking and Airport Roads Will All Be Progressively Upgraded Over the Next 20 Years,” Said Sacl Ceo Russell Balding.

“importantly, the Forecast Noise Footprint for Sydney Airport in 2029 Has Been Reduced Relative to That Forecast for 2024. This is Because New Aircraft Are Larger, Quieter, Cleaner and More Fuel Efficient, a Trend That Will Continue Over the Next 20 Years. ” the Preliminary Draft Master Plan is Open for Public Comment Until December 16, and is Available to View on the Sydney Airport Website.

Airport Briefs

British Airports Operator Baa Plc Has Announced That It Plans to Sell London’s Gatwick Airport, Following a Ruling That the Company Must Sell One of Its London Area Airports to Promote More Competition.

The Queensland Parliament Passed Legislation for the Sale of Mackay and Cairns Airports, as Well as the Government’s Stake in Brisbane Airports Corporation, on September 12. The Sales Will Fund Hospital Upgrades in Cairns, Mt Isa and Mackay.

General Aviation

Ra-aus Mtow Increase for Public Discussion

Casa Has Released a Discussion Paper on a Proposal to Allow Aircraft With a Maximum Takeoff Weight of Up to 750kg to Be Administered by Recreational Aviation Australia (Ra-aus).

Under Section 95. 55 of the Current Civil Aviation Orders, Aircraft With an Mtow of Up to 544kg, or Aircraft Certificated as Light Sport Aircraft With an Mtow Up to 650kg May Be Administered by Ra-aus Instead of Casa. Under Its Proposal, Ra-aus Would Be Able to Administer Aircraft to the Upper Limit of the Easa Certification Standard-very Light Aeroplanes (Cs-vla), Which Allows an Mtow of 750kg. Alternative Proposals Include Adopting the Proposed Casr Part 103 Benchmark and Limiting the Aeroplanes That Are Eligible for Ra-aus Administration to 600kg Mtow for Landplanes and 650kg Mtow for Seaplanes, or Maintaining the Current Limits.

“the Lifting of the Weight Limit to 750kg Would Offer Approximately 1100 Current Ga Aircraft Owners of Two-seat Recreational Aircraft an Alternative to Operating Within the Existing Casa System,” the Proposal From Ra-aus is Quoted as Saying in the Discussion Paper. However, the Proposed Change Would Not Change Any of the Other Parameters, Such as the Requirement to Limit Ra-aus Administration to Aircraft With a Cas Stall Speed of 45kt.

The Discussion Paper and Guide for Responding Are Available on the Casa Website, and All Public Comments Must Be Submitted Before November 11.

Skycatcher Crashed in Spin Trials

– Cessna Cessna’s Prototype of the Model 162 Skycatcher Was Involved in Spin Testing When It Went Into an Uncontrollable Flat Spin and Crashed During a Test Flight on September 18, According to the Kansas Based Manufacturer.

“He Got Into a Flat Spin and Couldn’t Recover,” Cessna Spokesman Doug Oliver Told ‘avweb’, Adding That the Pilot Had Put the Aircraft Into a Cross-controlled, Power on Stall Which Started at 10,000ft. When the Spin Became Unrecoverable, the Pilot Activated a Brs Ballistic Recovery Parachute Which Failed to Deploy, Before He Was Able to Bail Out of the Aircraft at 5000ft and Land Safely With His Own Parachute. The Pilot Was Not Injured, and Was Able to Land Safely Over 400 Metres Away From the Crashed Aircraft.

The Spin Trials Were Not Required as Part of the Skycatcher’s Certification Process, Which is Being Conducted to American Society of Testing and Materials for Certification as a Light Sport Aircraft Category. But Oliver Said That, Pending the Outcome of the Investigation Into the Crash Still Ongoing, the Manufacturer Does Not Think That It Will Have to Make Any Changes to the Skycatcher’s Design.

The Prototype Skycatcher First Flew in March, and Had Undergone Approximately 150 Hours of Flight Testing Since Then. Cessna Holds Orders for Over 1000 Skycatchers, With the First Ones Scheduled to Be Delivered From Early Next Year, Although It Has Yet to Say if the Crash is Likely to Lead to a Delay in the Aircraft’s Development Program.

Australian Closer to Competing in 2009 Red Bull Air Race

Australian Pilot Matt Hall is One of Five Pilots Who Have Completed the Red Bull Air Race Qualification Camp in Spain, Putting Him in the Frame to Compete in the 2009 Red Bull Air Race Series.

The Camp Put the Pilots Through Their Aerobatic Paces at Low Level to Evaluate the Pilots’ Suitability to Take Part in the Red Bull Air Race, and Followed Some Intensive Training Over the Past Year.

The Five Pilots Are Now Eligible for Selection as Rookies to Race in the 2009 Series of the Red Bull Air Race, Although It Has Yet to Be Decided if or How Many May Be Selected to Race Next Year.

The Last Leg of the 2008 Red Bull Air Race Will Be Held in Perth on November 1-2.

Mining Industry Bites Into Ecu Shark Patrols

Edith Cowan University Will No Longer Operate Its Summer Aerial Shark Patrols Around Perth’s Beaches Due to a Lack of Pilots, Attributed to Demand From the Fly-in/ Fly-out Industry.

Since 2001, Ecu Aviation Has Run the Daily Patrols Along the Perth Coast With Between 15-20 Student Pilots Who Used the Runs to Build Their Hours, With the Services Subsidised by Fisheries Instead, Wa’s Fisheries Department Will Reportedly Go to Public Tender for a Provider of the Patrols for the 2008/09 Summer, Which Are Expected to Total 625 Hours From Mid October to Early March.

Ecu is the Only University in Wa to Offer an Aviation Program, and Started Operating the Flights Following a Fatal Shark Attack Off Cottesloe Beach in 2000.

Business Aviation

• Gulfstream Delivered the 200th Mid Cabin G200 From Its Dallas, Texas, Completions Centre of Excellence on September 18. The Aircraft is Owned by Alatau Avv of Aruba in the Netherlands Antilles.

• Bombardier Has Terminated the Agreement It Had With Insolvent Partner Grob for Developing and Manufacturing Fuselages for Its Forthcoming Learjet 85 Bizjet. Grob Was to Have Been Responsible for Designing Primary and Secondary Structures for the New Learjet and for Building and Flight Testing the First Three Prototypes.

Maintenance, Support & Training

Name Change for Air Prop

Air Prop Services Changed Its Name to Safe Air Australia From September 29. The Melbourne Based Company is a Major Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Facility for a Number of Propeller Oems Owned by Air New Zealand Engineering Services Subsidiary Safe Air. It is Located in the Melbourne Suburb of Dingley, Adjacent to Moorabbin Airport.

Air New Zealand Launches Aircraft Interiors Business

Air New Zealand Technical Operations Launched Its New Altitude Aerospace Interiors Subsidiary on September 19, Which Will Offer a Range of Interior Design and Fit Out Services for Airlines and Airliner-based Business Jets.

Altitude Has Emerged From Tech Op’s Recent Work on Aircraft Interiors, Which Has Included Redesigning and Fitting New Interiors and Inflight Entertainment for Air New Zealand Aircraft, as Well as the Design of the Inflight ‘v-bar’ for V Australia’s Boeing 777-300ers.

Altitude is Planning to Open a Dedicated Boeing Business Jets Refit Centre in Christchurch by the End of 2008, and Will Provide ‘end-to-end’ Solutions for Customers Reconfiguring Bbjs. The Centre Will Be the Only One Supported by a Major Airline in the Asia Pacific Region, and is Expected to Be a Major Growth Area for the Company.

Ansett & Altara to Offer First Officers Course From 2009

Ansett Aviation Training and Altara Training Will Start a Program From the First Quarter of 2009 Which Will Deliver Operationally Ready First Officers for Regional and International Airlines.

Ansett and Altara Will Offer Customised Courses Based Around the Airline Client’s Operating Practices, and Will Also Involve Experienced Instructors in Choosing Initial Candidates Who Will Go Through Training to Gain a Type Rating as a First Officer.

Maintenance, Support & Training Briefs

Boeing is Combining All Its Training Groups Within the Commercial Airplanes Division Under the Alteon Name to Create an Integrated Business Encompassing All Development, Deployment and Delivery of Aviation Training and Flight Services. Alteon Will Function as a Business Within Boeing Commercial Airplane Services.

Air Safety

Senate Recommends Board for Casa

a Report by the Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Has Raised a Number of Concerns About the Staffing and Effectiveness of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

The Committee Found That Since Casa Embarked on Its Regulatory Reform Program in 2003, There Has Been a High Turnover in Staff.

“the Committee Had Some Concerns About How Effectively Casa Senior Management Had Communicated With Casa Staff and the Industry During This Sustained Period of Change,” the Report Said. The Report Also Raised Concerns About the Governance Structure of Casa and Also Its Ability to Properly Conduct Surveillance and Audits of Operators Under Its Safety Management Systems Approach.

In Its Recommendations, the Committee Called for a Strengthening of Casa’s Governance by Appointing a Maximum Five Member Board, Reviewing Casa’s Funding Model, Concluding the Regulatory Reform Program, and That the Australian National Audit Office Audit the Authority’s Safety Management Systems Approach.

Conquest Life Limit to Remain for Another Year – Casa

Chief Bruce Byron Has Signed an Instrument Which Will Maintain the Life Limit of 22,500 Hours Which Was Imposed Last Year on the Fleet of Cessna 441 Conquests on the Australian Register.

The Instrument, Effective From September 18 Until the Same Date Next Year, Grounds Any Conquest Which Has Flown Over 22,500 Hours Except With the Approval of the Director of Aviation Safety. The Original Instrument, Which Expired on August 24, Came About After Cessna Issued a Life Limit Warning Which Withdrew Customer Support for the Type Once It Had Passed the 22,500 Hour Mark. The Warning Came After Lab Testing an in Service Reports Showed That Airframes May Become Degraded and Were More Prone to Cracking and Possible Failure Once They Had Passed the Life Limit.

While the Instrument Notes That Cessna Has Not Developed a Remediation Program to Extend the Life of the Conquest, It is Believed That at Least One Australian Company Has Been Working on a Life Extension Program for the Aircraft.

Drug and Alcohol Testing in Place

New Regulations Requiring Random Drug and Alcohol Testing Came Into Place on September 22 in a Move Which Transport Minister Anthony Albanese Said Will “make an Already Safe Industry Even Safer. ” the New Regulations Will Give Holders of Air Operator’s Certificates and Certificates of Approval Six Months to Develop a Detailed Drug and Alcohol Management Plan, Which Will Align the Aviation Industry With Similar Measures in the Mining, Maritime and Rail Industries.

“the Regulations Cover Pilots, Engineers, Cabin Crew, Flight Instructors, Re-fuellers, Dispatchers, Load Controllers, Baggage Handlers, Air Traffic Controllers and Even Civil Aviation Safety Authority Staff That Perform Duties Airside,” Said Minister Albanese.

Under the Program, Casa Will Outsource Random Drug and Alcohol Testing to a Provider Who Will Collect Samples and Perform Initial Tests, With Positive Tests to Be Sent to an Accredited Laboratory for Further Analysis. All Confirmatory Tests Conducted by the Laboratory Will Be Reported to the Medical Review Officer Within Casa for Verification.

Casa Air Quality Panel Appointed the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Casa) Has Appointed 10 Experts to Look Into Issues Relating to Aircraft Cabin Air Quality.

The Expert Panel on Cabin Air Quality Will Be Chaired by Dr Michael Bollen, a General Practitioner and Recognised Expert on Chemical Sensitivities. Bollen Will Be Joined by Medical and Toxicological Experts George Braitberg, Rob Loblay, Pooshan Navathe, Malcolm Sim, Bhupi Singh and Chris Winder. Paul Cousins From the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association and Graeme Cleary From the Australian and International Pilots Association Will Also Be on the Panel.

The Panel Has Been Appointed by Casa to Review Existing Research Into Cabin Air Quality, Take Submissions and Deliver Recommendations on Future Actions in a Report Due by the Final Quarter of 2010. These Recommendations Will Then Be Considered by the Existing Cabin Air Quality Reference Group.

People

Passing of Aviation Writer Stanley Brogden Stanley Brogden, the Doyen of Australian Aviation Writers, Has Written His Last Column. He Passed Away Peacefully, Aged 94, on September 14 in Melbourne. Stanley Was a Writer Who Had a Career Spanning More Than 60 Years.

Born on September 19 1913 He Served With the Raaf During Ww2 as a Flying Officer. Discharged in Early 1946 He Had His First Book Published in 1944. He Was a Foundation Director of the International Society of Aviation Writers. Stanley Brogden Was the Aviation Writer for the Brisbane Courier-mail Between 1947-50. He Was Director of Raaf Public Relations 1950-59 With the Rank of Group Captain. Between 1960-64 He Was the Aviation Writer for the Australian Financial Review. In 1964 He Took Up the Position of Aviation Writer With the Australian Newspaper and as a Commentator for the Abc. Later He Took Up the Position of Editor and Writer for the Melbourne Based Aircraft Magazine. He Continued to Write High Profile Articles and Comment on the Australian Aviation Scene, at One Time Contributing to Australian Aviation, and Without Doubt Influenced Decision Making Along the Way. On June 19 1995 Stanley Brogden Was Awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for Service to Aviation Journalism.

Over the Years He Authored More Than 10 Books, Not All Relating to Aviation, Such Were His Varied Interests.

Stanley Brogden Has Left Behind Much Written Record That Details the History and Course of the Australian Aviation Scene.

(Dave Prossor)

People Briefs

• Former Transport Minister Mark Vaile Has Been Appointed as a Non-executive Director to the Board of Virgin Blue, Effective September 22.

Bankstown Airport Owners Sydney Metropolitan Airports Has Appointed Danny Eatock to the Position of Airport Operations and Compliance Manager. Eatock Had Previously Worked as the Organisation Development Manager for the Gold Coast, Townsville and Mount Isa Airports.

Quickstep Holdings Has Announced That Its Founding Chief Executive Nick Noble Will Retire and Be Succeeded by Its International and Defence Executive Philippe Odouard, While Peter Williams Has Been Appointed as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.

Blenheim, New Zealand Based Safe Air Has Appointed Heather Deacon as Its New General Manager. Deacon Has Been at Safe Air Since March 2006, and Previously Held Roles at Selex in the Uk.

Events

Avalon to Feature Careers Program a Careers and Skills Program Aimed at Increasing Awareness and Interest in Careers in the Aviation Industry Will Be a Feature of the Avalon 2009 Airshow, Held From March 10-15 2009.

Avalon 2009 Will Include Exhibits and Activities Specifically Designed to Inform and Encourage Interest Amongst Students, Parents, Teachers and Career Professionals.

The Program is Part of an Ongoing National Program Run by the Aerospace Maritime and Defence Foundation of Australia Limited, Which Also Runs the Airshow.

Tickets for Avalon 2009 Went on Sale on September 12 Through Ticketek.

Caps

Airbus Expects to Open Its Chinese Assembly Plant for A320 Family Airliners in Tianjin by the End of the Month. The First A320 Assembled at the Facility is Expected to Be Delivered in Early 2009.

Boeing Has Successfully Completed a High-pressure ‘high Blow’ Test on Its 787 Static Test Airframe in Seattle. The High Blow Test Involved Pressuring the Airframe to 150 Per Cent of the Maximum Levels Expected to Be Encountered in Service, Equivalent to 1. 05kg Per Square Cm.

Airbus Will Display Large Sections of Its Family of Commercial Aircraft Along the Champs-elysses as Part of the Celebrations of the Centenary of the French Aeronautical Industry.

Hawker Pacific Has Been Appointed as the Australia and New Zealand Distributor for Diamond Aircraft, Covering the Twin Engine Da42 Twin Star, the Single Engine Da40, and Da20, and the Soon to Be Released Da 50 Magnum. Separately, Diamond Aircraft Delivered the 1000th Da20 During the Week Ending September 19 to Malyan Flight Academy in Ontario, Canada. Originally Built in Austria as the Dv20, the First Da20 Entered Service in 1992.

The First Alenia C-27j for the Us Army/usaf Joint Cargo Aircraft Program Has Been Delivered by Jca Global Military Aircraft Systems (Gmas) Prime Contractor L-3 at Its Waco, Texas, Facility.

The Aircraft, Although Similar to the Standard C-27j as Sold by Alenia, Features Some System Changes, a New External Antenna Arrangement, and Rolls-royce Ae 2100d2 Turboprop Engines With 10 Per Cent More Power. It Will Be Followed by a Second Aircraft in November and Another 12 From Alenia Before Production is Planned to Be Switched to a Dedicated Facility in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2010.

Singapore Airlines Took Delivery of Its Sixth Airbus A380 on September 18. It is Pictured Here With Qantas’s First A380 at Airbus Toulouse Facilities. (Airbus)

Archerfield, Brisbane Based Hempels Aviation Has Gone Into Liquidation. The Flying School, Charter and Aircraft Ferry Company Has Been Under Investigation by Casa for Alleged Safety Breaches Following the August Fatal Crash of a Yak Trainer Piloted by Aviation Identity and Company Founder Barry Hempel. Hempel and His Joy-ride Passenger Ian Lovell Were Both Killed in the Accident.