News Desk

Mitsubishi Changes

Mrj Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation Has Revealed a Number of Structural Changes to the Mitsubishi Regional Jet and Also Floated the a Possible Stretch to the Aircraft to Take It Up to 100 Seats. The Biggest Change Will Be to the Wing Box, Which Will Now Be Constructed Out of Aluminium Rather Than Carbon Fibre Composites. Mitsubishi Says It Made the Change After Discussions With Several Possible Clients in Europe and North America, and as a Result the Design Freeze Has Been Delayed Until Mid 2010 Instead of the Third Quarter of This Year. This Will Push Delivery of the First Aircraft to Launch Customer All Nippon Airlines Out to the First Quarter of 2014. The Mrj’s Cabin Design Has Also Been Modified, With an Additional 1.5inches in Bahin Height, With a Corresponding 12 Per Cent Increase in Overhead Bin Space, While the Forward Cargo Hold Has Been Deleted, in Favour of an Enlarged Aft Cargo Area. Mitsubishi Also Noted That It is Considering Adding 100 Seat Version of the Mrj to Its Lineup, Which Would See It Compete Directly With Embraer and Bombardier. Any Launch of a Stretched Mjr to Complement the 78 Seat Mrj70 and 92 Seat Mrj90 Would Be Contingent on Gaining Sufficient Demand.

Asia Pacific Still Expected to Be Airliner Powerhourse

Despite the Asia-pacific Region’s Airlines Struggling With Major Reductions in Traffic, Boeing Still Expects the Region to Drive Its Sales Growth Over the Next 20 Years. According to Its Current Market Outlook, Which Was Presented at the Asian Aerospace Airshow in Hong Kong on September, Boeing Expects the Region’s Fleet Will Nearly Triple From 3,910 to 11,170 Aircraft, of Which Will Be 8960 New Aircraft. “Twenty Years From Now More Than 40 Percent of the World’s Airline Traffic Will Begin, End or Take Place Within the Asia Pacific Region,” Said Boeing Commercial Airplanes Vice President Marketing, Randy Tinseth. “That’s a Big Leap for a Region That Was Not Even Mentioned in Our Earliest Boeing Market Forecasts Back in the 1950s.” With Strong Domestic Demand in Countries Such as China and India, Boeing Predicts That Approximately 5600 New Narrowbodies Will Be Delivered to Asian Airlines, While the Percentage of the Fleet’s Large Category Will Decrease From 10 to 4 Percent With Only 330 Deliveries. Airlines in the Asia Pacific Region Will Take Delivery of 2,590 Twin-aisle Airplanes, While Regional Jet Deliveries Will Total 440.

Carson to Leave in Boeing Reshuffle

Boeing Commercial Airplanes Ceo Scott Carson Announced That He Will Retire by the End of the Year, With Integrated Defense Systems Ceo Jim Albaugh Already Appointed to Take Over the Airliner Division. The Announcement of Carson’s Retirement Was Made on August 31, and Saw Albaugh Take Up the Position the Next Day. Carson Will Remain With the Company Until the End of the Year to Assist With Transition and Continue Work on Special Projects. “the Boeing Board of Directors and I Appreciate Scott’s Long Record of Accomplishment Across Many Disciplines, Functions and Businesses, and the Enduring Contributions He Has Made to Boeing Through 38 Years of Service,” Said Boeing Company Ceo and Chairman Jim Mcnerney. “Thanks to His Leadership and Operational Experience, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Has Performed Extremely Well in a Tough Business Environment and Remains Positioned Solidly for Continued Market Success.” Carson Became Ceo of Bca in September 2006 Following the Resignation of Alan Mulally, Inheriting Its Then Promising 787 Program. Since Then Carson Has Received Strong Criticism for the Delays and Cost Overruns on the 787 and the 747-8 Programs. Albaugh Has Led the Ids Division of Boeing Since 2002, and Will Be Succeeded by Dennis Muilenburg, Who Previously Led the Global Services & Support Unit of Ids. “His Experience in Technology Integration; Track Record Delivering Large-scale Programs on Time and Budget; and Work With Customers in New, Developing Markets Will Help Us Generate New Momentum and Long-term Growth,” Added Mcnerney.

Wto Rules A380 Aid as Illegal

the World Trade Organisation Has Released a Confidential Report on Its Ruling on the Long Running Subsidy Battle Between Europe and the United States, Finding That Launch Aid Given to Airbus as Part of the A380 Program Was Illegal Under Global Trade Conventions. According to Sources Familiar With the Over 1000 Page Ruling, Which is Not Expected to Be Finalised Until Next Year, the Wto Found That Some of the €3bn (a$5bn) in Launch Aid and Research and Development Funding Was Tantamount to Subsidies. Sources in Europe Also Claim That Approximately 70 Per Cent of the Us Arguments Were Dismissed in the Ruling. While Officials in the Us Have Hailed the Decision as a Win, European Officials Have Also Claimed a Victory, With the Ruling Understood to Have Endorsed Some Forms of Repayable Loans as Acceptable Financing for New Aircraft. The Heat Will Be Back on the United States Later When a Counter-claim on Tax Breaks and Other Aid Given to Boeing in the Form of Military Contracts is Ruled on. The Ruling Has No Affect on the Aid Sought by Airbus From Various European Governments to Finance the Development of the A350xwb, With Britain Announcing in August That It Would Provide Repayable Loans of £340m (a$676m) for the Program.

Re-engined 737 Closer?

The Boeing Company Ceo Jim Mcnerney Told a Conference in New York on September 3 That a Re-engined Narrowbody Could Be Viable in the Near Term. Mcnerney Said That the Work of Engine Makers Rolls-royce, Pratt & Whitney and General Electric on New Generation Narrowbody Engines Was Promising, and as a Result, “the Re-engine Case is Stronger Than I Anticipated It Would Be, Which Doesn’t Mean That That’s What We’ll Decide.” He Also Added That to Re-engine the 737 Would Cost Approximately 20-30 Per Cent of the Development Cost of a New Narrowbody Design. Both Airbus and Boeing Have Put Off New Designs to Replace Their Popular A320s and 737s Until at Least 2020 Due to Strong Demand, Although Both Have Put Forward Incremental Improvements to Reduce Fuel Burn. The Airframers Have Previously Said That Any New Aircraft Would Have to Deliver Efficiency Gains of 15-20 Per Cent to Interest Operators in Ordering a New Narrowbody. Nevertheless, Mcnerney Noted That Boeing Could Move First to Offer a New Narrowbody, Particularly if It Chose to Go Down the Route of a Composite Narrowbody as It Has Done on the 787. “we’ve Learned the Hard Way on How to Design and Build Composites,” He Said.

787 First Flight by End of Year

Boeing Has Released Its Revised 787 Flight Testing Schedule, and Remains Confident That the Troubled Aircraft Will Take Its First Flight by the End of the Year, With Deliveries Now Set to Begin in the Fourth Quarter of 2010. Boeing Announced the Latest Delay to the 787’s First Flight on June 23 Just Days Before It Was Expected Due to Unusual Stresses in the Wing-body Join Discovered During Fatigue Testing. This Resulted in Boeing Having to Devise a Modification to Stringers in the Wing Join Before Beginning the Flight Test Program, and by Mid September, at Least Three Aircraft Were Undergoing Modification Work to Resolve the Issue. “this New Schedule Provides Us the Time Needed to Complete the Remaining Work Necessary to Put the 787’s Game-changing Capability in the Hands of Our Customers,” Said Boeing Chairman, President and Ceo Jim Mcnerney. “the Design Details and Implementation Plan Are Nearly Complete, and the Team is Preparing Airplanes for Modification and Testing.” Boeing Also Said That the New Schedule Incorporates More Contingency Time Between First Flight and Delivery, Should Issues Arise During the Flight Test Program. Interestingly, Boeing Also Said That the First Three Aircraft Will Now Not Be Refitted as Commercial Aircraft and Sold Due to the Large Amount of Work Involved, Meaning the Company Will Recognise a Us$2.5bn Charge on Its Third-quarter Accounts. Aircraft 4-6, Which Will Also Be Involved in Flight Testing and Are Currently Unallocated, Will Be Sold Off After the Program Concludes, Most Likely to Be Used as Executive Jets. It Was Also Revealed in Late August That Boeing Issued a Stop Work Order to Alenia Aeronáutica to Halt Production of 787 Fuselage Barrels Due to Wrinkling in the Fuselage Caused by Manufacturing Flaws in Subcomponents of the Barrel. Boeing’s Vp of Marketing, Randy Tinseth Downplayed the Situation, Saying in a Blog Entry, “the Issue Involves Adding Relatively Simple Patches to the Fuselage Sections of About 25 Airplanes.what We Want to Emphasize, and What’s Not Made Clear in a Lot of the Coverage Today is That Minor Fixes Such as These Are Not Uncommon at This Stage in Airplane Development and Production. This is Not a Safety-of-flight Issue, Either.”

Testing Begins on Cseries Barrel

Bombardier Has Taken Delivery of a Fuselage Test Barrel for the Cseries From Shenyang Aircraft Corporation to Demonstrate Manufacturing and Engineering Structural Concepts Before the Final Design Phase of the Aircraft Begins Next Year. “the Test Barrel for the Cseries Aircraft Arrived on Schedule, and Meets the Quality Standards Equivalent to a Final Production Unit. This Achievement Underscores the Strength of Our Partnership With Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and China Aviation Industry,” Said Robert Dewar, Vp of Bombardier’s Cseries Integrated Product Development Team. “this Partnership is an Integral Part of Our Commitment to Building a Long Term Investment and Strategic Industrial Relationship With China.” the 7.0m Long and 3.7m Wide Barrel is Made of Advanced Aluminium Alloys Which Will Be Used on the Cseries, and Was Produced by Sac at Dalian in China. Sac Will Manufacture Just Over 10 Per Cent of the Cseries.

B1900d Demo Tour Raytheon Airline Aviation Services and Awesome Aviation Are to Conduct an Australian Tour With a Beechcraft 1900d Demonstrator Dubbed ‘the Missionator’, Configured to Illustrate the Aircraft’s Ability to Perform Missions Such as Air Ambulance, Airline, Executive and Cargo. The Tour Will Begin in Broome on September 21, Circling the Country to Conclude in Darwin on October 7, and Taking in the Regional Aviation Association of Australia Convention on the Sunshine Coast Over September 30 to October 2.

Airbus Completes Second Cfrp Barrel

Airbus Announced on August 13 That It Completed Its Second Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (Cfrp) Test Barrel as Part of the Certification of Design Principles to Be Used on the A350. The Barrel Demonstrator Measures 18 Metres in Length and More Than Six Metres in Diameter. Its Three Sections Closely Reflect the Final Design of the A350 Fuselage and Were Used to Develop and Validate the Complete Process Chain From the Manufacture of Individual Panels, Frames and Clips, to Shell Assembly and Section Assembly, and the Production of Circumferential Joints. The Main Objective of Barrel 1b is to Support the Validation of Design Principles and Sizing Methods. The Tests Performed on This Barrel Will Mainly Focus on the Fatigue and Damage Tolerance of Composite Structures, the Barrel Being Part of the Certification of the Aircraft.

Commercial Briefs

Sukhoi Has Announced That One of Its Superjet 100 Test Aircraft Has Started High Altitude Tests at Shirak Airport in Gyumri, Armenia. The Aircraft Will Undergo a Series of Tests, Assessing Takeoff and Landing Performance as Well as Climb Rate Characteristics From the Airport, Which is at a 1524m Elevation. Airbus Has Delivered the First A318 Equipped for Steep Approaches to British Airways, Which Will Use the Aircraft to Offer Twice Daily Flights From London City Airport to New York/jfk. Airbus Delivered the 4000th A320 Family Aircraft in Late August, With the Delivery of an A319 to Brazilian Airline Tam. Atr Has Announced That It Will Roll Out the First -600 Series Aircraft at Toulouse on October 1. The Atr 42/72-600 Series is Powered by Pw127m Engines and Features New Advanced Thales Avionics. The First Aircraft is Due to Enter Service in 2011. Embraer Has Restored the Prototype Emb 121 Xingu as Part of the Ongoing Celebrations of the Brazilian Manufacturer’s 40th Anniversary. The Aircraft Will Be Displayed to Employees Before Being Put on Permanent Display at the Aerospace Museum in Rio De Janeiro. the First Boeing 747-8f Achieved Power-on for the First Time on August 14. The Aircraft, Which Will Eventually Be Delivered to Cargolux, is Due to Fly by the End of the Year and Will Be Refurbished at the End of the Flight Test Campaign.

Sales

Bombardier Has Cancelled an Order for 15 Crj 1000 Nextgens From Italian Carrier Myair, Which Was Recently Grounded by Authorities There. Turkish Airlines Has Ordered Seven A330-300s. Canada’s Westjet Has Ordered 14 Additional Boeing 737-700s. Turkmenistan Airlines Has Ordered Three Boeing 737-700s.

Military

Heron Uavs for Raaf Defence Minister Senator John Faulkner Has Announced That the Raaf is Leasing Canadian Iai Heron Uav Operating Hours to Provide “high Resolution” Isr Capabilities for Australian Forces in Afghanistan. Under Project Nankeen (Which is Unrelated to the Army’s Jp129 Uav Project), Defence Has Signed a Contract With Canadian Company Macdonald, Dettwiler and Associates (Mda) to Lease Heron Uav Services for a One Year Period. A Team of Raaf and Army Personnel Underwent Training on the Heron in Canada in July, and They Are Now Absorbed Within the Canadian Heron Detachment at Kandahar “the Experience That Air Force Gains in Operating Long Endurance Uavs in Afghanistan Will Also Help Shape the Development of Unmanned Defence Capabilities for Australia Through the Next Decade,” Senator Faulkner Said in a September 7 Statement. The Heron Uav is a One Tonne Class Surveillance Uav Which Can Operate Up to 30,000ft.

Boeing Responds to Interim Basic Training Requirement

Boeing Defence Australia (Bda) Has Announced It Has Responded to the Dmo’s Invitation to Register (Itr) for an Interim Basic Flying Training (Ibft) System Requirement to Replace the Basic Flying Training School (Bfts) at Tamworth. While the Company is Not Yet Ready to Announce a Partnership Nor What Platform It Will Bid, Bda Has Said Its Bid Will Be Based at Raaf East Sale in Victoria’s Gippsland Alongside the Raaf’s Central Flying School, 32sqn, Officer Training School, and School of Air Warfare. The Emergence of the ‘turn-key’ Ibft is a Recent Change to the Air 5428 Project in Lieu of a Longer Term Permanent Solution. A Request for Tender (Rft) is Expected to Be Released Towards the End of 2009, While the Ibft is Scheduled to Start Sometime in 2012.

T-6b Achieves Cetification, Enters Service

the Hawker Beechcraft T-6b Has Successfully Achieved Us Faa Certification to Coincide With the Aircraft Entering Service With the Us Navy. The T-6b is an Upgraded Version of the T-6a Already in Usaf Service but Features a New Digital Glass Cockpit Including Three Multi-function Displays, Hotas (Hands-on-throttle-and-stick) Functionality, and a Head-up Display. The T-6b Also Forms the Foundation of the Planned at-6 Light Attack and Isr Aircraft Which is Being Pitched to Air Forces as a Counter Insurgency and Low Threat Combat Aircraft. The T-6b is Expected to Be a Leading Contender for the Adf’s Air 5428 Advanced Trainer Aircraft Through Raytheon Australia, and the Similar at-6 Variant Could Be a Good Fit for the Raaf’s Recently Formed 4sqn Forward Air Control (Fac) Training and Development Squadron.

Boeing to Develop C-17 Training System

Boeing Has Been Contracted by the Usaf to Provide a C-17 Distributed Training Centre (Dtc) to the Usaf, Allowing 10 C-17 Training Sites Around the Us to Be Networked for Greater Training Fidelity and Benefit. To Be Based at Scott Afb in Illinois, the Dtc Will Also Link Into the Distributed Mission Operations (Dmo) Network Which Allows International Training Sites to Also Be Linked for Multiple Platform Exercises Such as ‘virtual Flag’ and Others. “This Capability Will Allow the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command (Amc) to Conduct Continuation and Mission Qualification Training, Execute Mission Rehearsal Operations, Develop Tactics, and Participate in Large Force Exercises in a Realistic Environment at a Fraction of Live-fly Costs and With Very Little Risk,” Said Sean Carey, Usaf Air Mobility Command Program Manager for the Dmo.

Missing Raaf Canberra Crew Returns Home

the Remains of an Raaf Aircrew Have Returned to Australia After Being Missing in the Vietnamese Jungle for Nearly 39 Years, Bringing to a Symbolic End an Important Chapter of Australia’s History. The Remains of Flying Officer Michael Herbert and Pilot Officer Robert Carver, the Last Missing Adf Personnel From Vietnam, Returned Home on Board an Raaf C-130h Prior to a Poignant Ceremony at Raaf Base Richmond on August 31, After Their Canberra Bomber Was Found in Thick and Remote Jungle in Quang Nam Province Near the Laotian Border Earlier This Year. Their Caskets Were Met at Richmond by Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, Greg Combet, Opposition Leader, Malcolm Turnbull, and Members of the 2sqn Association and Current 2sqn Members; and Were Escorted Back From Hanoi by Their Family Members and Former Comrades, Chief of Air Force, Airmshl Mark Binskin, and Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, Dr Mike Kelly. The Richmond Ceremony Followed an Emotional Ramp Ceremony in Hanoi the Previous Day. Both Crewmembers Were 24 When Their Canberra ‘magpie 91′ Disappeared From Radar on November 3 1970 After a Successful Bombing Run.

Lockmart Delivers Final Amp C-5b

Lockheed Martin Has Delivered the 50th and Final C-5b Galaxy to Undergo the Comprehensive Avionics Modernisation Program (Amp) Avionics Refit Back to the Usaf. The Amp Program Has Seen the Fleet Fitted With a New Commercial Off the Shelf (Cots) Digital Avionics Suite and an Open Architecture Backbone Which Will Allow Further Upgrades in the Future. Features Include a Fans (Future Air Navigation System) Datalink, a Multimode Receiver With Ils, Vor, Microwave Landing System and Marker Beacon, Dual Embedded Gps/ins, an Iff/mode S Transponder, and a Tcas Ii System. The Usaf’s 61 Remaining C-5as Will Also Receive the Upgrade. Meanwhile Re-engining of the C-5b Fleet is Due to Start Shortly After the First Three Development Aircraft Have Proven the Concept. Only the C-5b Fleet Will Receive the Engine Upgrade Under the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (Rerp) Which Will See the Ageing Ge T39 Turbofans Replaced With More Powerful, Reliable and Fuel Efficient Ge F138-ge-100 (Cf6) Engines. At the Completion of the Rerp Program, the Aircraft Are to Be Re-designated as the C-5m ‘super Galaxy’.

Super Hornet Noise Consultation

the Raaf is to Conduct Consultation Sessions With the Community of Ipswich Adjacent to Raaf Base Amberley in the Lead Up to the Introduction of the F/a-18f Super Hornets Next Year. The Consultation is Being Conducted in Anticipation of Additional Noise Complaints From People Living Near the Base. The Super Hornet Has a Louder and Higher Pitched Noise Footprint Than the F-111 It is Replacing, and It is Also Anticipated There Will Be More Flights of Multiple Aircraft and a Greater Number of Flights Overall of the Newer and More Reliable Aircraft. “the Super Hornet Will Fly Differently to the F-111 and People in Communities Around Amberley May Notice a Change in the Pattern of Aircraft Noise in Certain Areas,” Deputy Chief of Air Force Air Vice-marshal Geoff Brown Said in a Statement. “air Force is Committed to Providing as Much Information as Possible to the Public, and Welcomes Input From the Community on How They Feel the Change From F-111 to Super Hornet Flying Operations Might Affect Them and the Environment Around the Base.” the Consultation Period is Running From August 21 to October 2, and Five Sessions Will Be Held in and Around Ipswich During That Time. Residents Can Browse Www.superhornet.com.au or Call 1800 451766 for More Information. The F-111c is Due to Be Retired in December 2010, While the First Four Super Hornets Are Scheduled to Arrive Next March.

Adf Separation Rates Improve

the Separation Rates of Adf Personnel Has Improved in the Past Year Thanks in Part to the Current Economic Crisis and the Fact That Airlines and Other Technical Trades Are Generally Not Currently Hiring. The Average Separation Rate to the End of July Was a Manageable 9.4 Per Cent According to Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, Greg Combet, Down From About 11 Per Cent in July 2007. “the Adf is Expecting Further Decreases in Separation Rates Throughout the Next Quarter, Followed by the Rates Stabilising in 2010,” Combet Said in a Statement. “another Pleasing Aspect of This Result is That More Young People Are Getting First Class Training From the Adf at a Time When Australia Needs to Build Its Workforce Skills Base.” Minister Combet Has Also Announced That the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal Has Approved a New Remuneration Structure for Adf Officer Aircrew and Air Traffic Control Officers. “the New Officer Aviation Remuneration Structure (Oars) Introduces a Flexible Remuneration System That Ensures This Specialist Military Workforce of Over 2000 Members Receives Comparable Pay for Comparable Work Against the Aviation Industry Benchmark,” He Said, Citing the Need to Recognise the Growing Skill Sets Required to Operate and Support New Equipment Being Introduced Over the Next Decade. “critical to the Success of These Acquisition Programs is a Dedicated and Experienced Workforce That Can Not Only Continue to Deliver Capability, but Also Manage and Contribute to Complex Transition Programs Involving State-of-the Art Technologies.” Combet Said That the Oars Was the Final Element of a Major Overhaul of the Adf Remuneration System That Started in 2002.

Us Senators Fight for C-17 Survival a Group of 18 Us Senators Has Written to the Chairs of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to Lobby for Funding for an Additional 12 Boeing C-17a Transports in the Fy2010 Budget, Despite the Usaf Not Having Requested Additional Aircraft. The Letter Claims the Aircraft Are Required to Maintain the Effort of Supporting Us Military Operations Overseas, but Also for the Maintenance of the Us Aerospace Industry Skills Base. “terminating the C-17 Will Not Only Undermine Our National Security, but Severely Degrade Our Ability to Maintain a Viable and Competitive Aerospace Industry,” the Letter Reads, Adding That It is “Premature to Shut Down the C-17 Line Before the Release of Important Air Mobility Reports in the Coming Months.” the Pentagon is Currently Conducting a Major Review Into Its Air Mobility Requirements Alongside the Four Yearly Quadrennial Defense Review (Qdr). The Usaf Currently Has 205 C-17s in Service or on Order, With Production at Boeing’s Long Beach Facility in California – the Last Military Large Aircraft Manufacturing Facility in the Us Apart From Commercially Derived Aircraft – Due to End Early Next Year.

Jsf Completes Probe and Drogue Refuelling Trial a Development F-35b Jsf Has Successfully Demonstrated Its Ability to Refuel in Mid-air From a Probe and Drogue Type System Used by the Us Navy and Marines, and the Uk. The Aircraft, Bf-2, Flew a Series of Tests at Various Altitudes and Speeds on August 13, and Received Fuel From a Us Marine Corps Kc-130j Tanker Aircraft. The Trials Are Timed as Part of the Preparation for the Deployment of Bf-1 to Patuxent River on the Us East Coast Later This Year for Its Delayed Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing Trials. Meanwhile, the Chair of the Us Senate Appropriations Committee and Its Defense Subcommittee Has Said He Will Continue to Support Funding for the Second Engine Development Program for the Jsf Despite the Threat of a Presidential Veto on the Funding. Senator Daniel Inouye From Hawai’i Says That, Despite the Estimated Us$5bn (a$6.1bn) Development Costs of the Rolls-royce/ge F136 (More Than Half of Which Has Already Been Spent), It Continues to “make Good Sense” to Develop an Alternate Engine to the P&w F135 in Case That Engine Suffers From Fleet-wide Grounding, and Because It Would Promote Competition Between P&w and the Rolls-royce/ge Teams and Therefore Cheaper Unit Acquisition Costs Over the Life of the Program.

Military Briefs

the First A400m Military Transport Has Left the Final Assembly Line (Fal) for the Second Time in Preparation for Ground Tests Which Will Include Fuelling and Pressurisation Tests, and Navigation and Communication Checks. The Aircraft Will Then Be Fitted With Its Troubled Tp400 Engines in Preparation for a First Flight “around the Turn of the Year.” the General Electric and Rolls-royce F136 Engine Team Has Reportedly Offered a Fixed Price Contract for the First 100 F136 Engines Between 2013 and 2015 in an Effort to Stay in the Jsf Program. The F136 Engine Remains Under Threat From the White House and Defence Appropriators as They Attempt to Find Cost Savings. the Boeing Developed Advanced Tactical Laser Mounted on a C-130h Test Aircraft Has Successfully Engaged a Stationary “tactically Representative” Ground Target for the First Time During a Recent Test in New Mexico. Boeing Integrated Defense Systems Celebrated 70 Years at Its Manufacturing Site in St Louis, Missouri on August 27. The Anniversary Celebrated the Founding of the Facility in 1939 by James S Mcdonnell. Boeing and Mcdonnell Douglas Merged in 1997. Hawker Beechcraft Has Been Awarded a Contract for T-6a Advanced Trainers and Ground Based Support and Training Systems for the Israeli Air Force. Boeing Has Successfully Modified Its Agm-84e Slam Er Missile to Engage Land-based Moving Targets With the New Capability Becoming Operational on July 2. The Capability Has Become Possible via a New Software Upload for F/a-18 Hornet and Super Hornet Launch Aircraft Which Allows Them to Receive Updated Target Coordinates From Third Party Isr Platforms. Bae Systems Has Announced That Two Pilots From the Royal Brunei Air Force Recently Graduated as Qualified Flying Instructors (Qfi) From the Flight Training Centre Which It Runs in Conjunction With the Adf at Tamworth. The Two Pilots Completed a Six Month Long Course Flying Ct-4s Alongside Adf Pilot Candidates. Russia Has Signed a Deal With Sukhoi/knaapo at the Maks Airshow in Moscow for 48 Su-35ss, 12 Upgraded Su-27sms and Four Su-30m2s. The Su-35 is the Latest Development of the Su-27 and Features Fully Digital Avionics, Thrust Vectoring Engines, an Electronically Scanned Array Radar and Other Advanced Features. the First Aegis Weapon System for the Australian Navy’s First Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyer Has Commenced a Comprehensive Test Program at Lockheed Martin’s Aegis Production Test Center in New Jersey. Qatar Has Taken Delivery of Its First of Two C-17 Transports in a Ceremony at Boeing’s Long Beach Facility.

Airlines

Qantas to Seek Funds for Fleet?

Qantas Ceo Alan Joyce Told Attendees of a Dinner Held by the Australian and International Pilots Association That the Airline Will Have to Take Out Loans or Reduce Its Cash Reserves to Fund Its Orders for New Aircraft Over the Next 10 Years. According to ‘the Australian’ Newspaper, Joyce Said Noted That Even in the Current Poor Year, Cashflow for the Airline Was $1.1 Billion. “Assuming We Achieve the Same Result in the Year Ahead, We Still Have a Massive Shortfall Before Us. And in Two Years’ Time, Another Meagre Profit Won’t Be Enough for Qantas to Be Able to Afford the Fleet We Have on Order,” He Said. “Our Current Calculations Would Mean That We Would Have to Produce a Profit of $2bn to Actually Fund the Fleet on Order in That Year. We Can Only Do This by Either Generating More Revenue or Being More Efficient.” Qantas Currently Has a Number of Airbus A380s and Boeing 787s on Order, With a Number to Be Delivered During the 2012/2013 Financial Year. As Such, the Airline May Be Forced to Draw Down Its Cash Reserves, Increase Its Debt or Go to the Market to Fund the Capital Purchases.

Qantas to Cut Air Pacific Ties?

Jetstar Has Made an Application to the International Air Services Commission for an Allocation on the Fiji Route as Qantas is Reportedly Seeking an Exit From Its 46 Per Cent Stake in Air Pacific. According to an Application Dated August 20 From Qantas, Jetstar Proposes to Operate Daily A321 Services From Sydney to Nadi, and Has Requested an Allocation of 1491 Seats on the Route to Operate the Service. This is the Same Allocation Sought by V Australia Which Would Allow It to Start Daily Boeing 777-300er Services, Which Would Also Use an Allocation Currently Used by Its Sister Company Pacific Blue. As Such, the Iasc Has Requested That Both Carriers Provide Further Information Before It Makes Its Determination, Which Must Be Submitted by September 8, While Other Interested Parties May Make Submissions on the Decision by September 23. Neither Qantas Nor Jetstar Currently Operate Sydney-nadi Services, Although Qantas Codeshares on Services Operated by Air Pacific. The Application for Capacity Has Raised Some Speculation That Qantas May Be Seeking an Exit From Its Stake in the Fijian Carrier, With Ceo Alan Joyce Understood to Have Been in Talks With Fiji’s Military Government on the Matter.

Qantas Pax Numbers Rise, Virgin Falls

Qantas Has Recorded Its First Rise in Passenger Numbers This Calendar Year During July, While Virgin Blue Recorded a Fall of 2.5 Per Cent. Overall, the Qantas Group Saw a 4.6 Per Cent Rise in Passenger Numbers During the Month, Driven by Increases on Domestic Services, as Well as Jetstar’s Increased International Operations Which Increased Capacity by 17.3 Per Cent. However, Qantas’s International Passenger Numbers Declined by 24.2 Per Cent as the Carrier Cut Its International Capacity by 11.4 Per Cent. Overall Group Load Factor Increased by 0.7 Percentage Points to 82.9 Per Cent. By Contrast, the Virgin Blue Group Carried 2.5 Per Cent Fewer Passengers, Primarily Due to a Fall in Domestic Passengers of 8.4 Per Cent as the Carrier Cut Capacity by 3.3 Per Cent. Revenue Load Factor Across Its Network Was Down by 3.7 Percentage Points to 78.5 Per Cent. Despite the Fall in Passenger Numbers, the Company Said That Yields During July “remained Broadly in Line With the Prior Year”, While Loads on V Australia’s Services to the Usa Had Continued to Improve.

Airnorth to Link Darwin, Mt Isa & Gold Coast

Darwin Based Regional Airline Airnorth Has Announced That It Plans to Launch Services From Darwin to Mount Isa and the Gold Coast From October 8. “the New Flights Will Allow Business Based in Northern Australia to Benefit From a Direct Link Between Darwin and the Mining Town of Mount Isa as Well as Utilise the First Ever Service Linking Darwin With the Gold Coast,” Said Airnorth Deputy Ceo Simone Saunders. “it Will Provide a Perfect Opportunity for Leisure Passengers From the Top End to Quickly Get to Their Holiday on the Gold Coast.” the Service, Which Will Operate Each Thursday, Will Be Flown With an Embraer E-170 With Fares on the Darwin-mount Isa Leg Starting From $199 One Way and $229 From Darwin to the Gold Coast. Airnorth Says That It Expects to Increase Its Services on the Route in Coming Months Following Discussions With Representatives From the Resources Sector in Mount Isa.

Sia Delays A380 Deliveries

Singapore Airlines Announced on September 4 That It Has Agreed With Airbus to Delay Delivery of Eight A380s by Between Six and 12 Months Due to the Downturn in Long Haul Travel. Under the New Schedule, Sia Will Take Its 12th A380 in October 2010 Rather Than April as Originally Planned, With the 19th Scheduled to Arrive in January 2012. Sia Currently Operates Nine A380s With Two More Due for Delivery This Year, Which Will Still Be Delivered as Per the Original Schedule. Sia Says That It is Satisfied With the Operations of Its Existing A380 Fleet, Which Operates on Routes From Singapore to Sydney, London, Tokyo, Paris and Hong Kong, With A380 Services to Melbourne Due to Start on September 29. Separately, Sia Was Voted the Number One International Airline in Australia in Choice Magazine’s Airline Satisfaction Survey, Making It the Second Year Running That the Airline Has Taken Out Top Spot in Its Category. “we Are Particularly Buoyed to See That Alongside Value for Money, Customer Service and Network Reach Remain Key Motivators Behind a Consumer’s Airline Choice – Which Highlights Australian Travellers Remain Discerning Customers, Even in Turbulent Economic Times,” Said Subhas Menon, Sia’s Regional Vice President.

Gov’t Tenders for Travel

the Federal Department of Finance Has Put Up Three Tenders for Air Travel, in a Move Which Could Threaten Qantas’s Stranglehold on the Government Travel Market. The Tenders Are for Domestic Travel, International Travel and Travel Management Services for the Whole of Australian Government. This Represents the First Time That Individual Departments Have Not Run Their Own Separate Tenders for Travel, as Well as New Policies Requiring Bureaucrats to Travel on the Lowest Practicable Fare. Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner Claimed the New Arrangements Could Cut Tens of Millions of Dollars From Travel Costs Across Government. The Move is Being Seen by Many as a Challenge to Qantas, Which Has Traditionally Taken the Lion’s Share of High Yielding Government Travel Accounts, With Virgin Blue Likely to Benefit Most by Gaining More Government Domestic Travel. V Australia, Singapore Airlines and Emirates Are Also Expected to Benefit From Gaining More Government Traffic on International Routes.

Sharp Expands Flights

Sharp Airlines Has Announced That It Will Add a New Service From Portland to Adelaide, With Connections to and From Avalon. Commencing October 12, the Airline Will Commence a Trial of Three Weekly Services Between Portland and Adelaide. The Service Will Connect Through to Avalon, Effectively Providing a Link From the South Australian Capital to Geelong Which Has Not Been Available Since Jetstar Ceased Its Avalon-adelaide Services in Favour of Operating Them From Tullamarine. “the Aim of the Trial is to Establish Customer Demand; if the Trial is Successful We Will Continue the Service and Look to Grow Our Network of Services Further,” Said Sharp Airlines Managing Director Malcolm Sharp. Sharp Airlines is Based in Hamilton, Victoria, and Operates Flights to Melbourne, Portland, Avalon and Mildura, as Well as Between Adelaide and Port Augusta. It Primarily Operates Fairchild Metro Iiis on Passenger Services.

Pacific Blue to Fly Perth-phuket

Pacific Blue Has Announced That It Will Fly a Twice Weekly Perth-phuket Service From November 14, Operated by a Boeing 737-800. The Services Will Complement V Australia’s Recently Announced Plans to Fly Twice Weekly From Brisbane and Weekly From Melbourne to Phuket. Further Services to Phuket Could Also Emerge in the Future as Pacific Blue Was Awarded Rights to Fly Between Denpasar and the Thai Holiday Island. In Competition With the New Service, Jetstar Announced on August 20 That From December 15 It Will Offer Fares From Perth to Phuket From $219 One Way. The Services Will See Passengers Fly to Singapore and Catch a Connecting Jetstar Asia Flight to Phuket.

Domestic Travel Down Again

Recent Figures From Bitre Show That Domestic Passenger Numbers Decreased Again During June, Making It the Fourth Month to Record Falls This Calendar Year. Total Passenger Numbers Were Down by 2.3 Per Cent Compared to June 2008. The Cairns-melbourne Route Saw the Biggest Individual Decline, With Traffic Down by 32 Per Cent, Followed by Kalgoorlie-perth (-24 Per Cent), Hervey Bay-sydney (-21.8 Per Cent) and Darwin-melbourne (-20.4 Per Cent). Conversely, Adelaide-gold Coast Saw the Largest Increase in Passengers, Up 32 Per Cent, Followed by Melbourne-mildura (+25.9 Per Cent), Brisbane-hamilton Island (+24.9 Per Cent) and Adelaide-canberra (+22.5 Per Cent). The Fall in Passenger Numbers Across the Domestic Network Was Offset by a 3.9 Per Cent Decrease in Capacity, Driven Primarily by a Reduction in Frequencies as Aircraft Trips Were Down by 3.6 Per Cent. The Cut in Capacity Meant That Load Factor Actually Rose by 1.6 Percentage Points to 76 Per Cent.

Fourth A380 Lands

Qantas’s Fourth Airbus A380, Vh-oqd ‘fergus Mcmaster’ Landed in Sydney on Its Delivery Flight From Toulouse on the Morning of August 24. “this Fourth Aircraft Will Allow Us to Increase Sydney-singapore-london A380 Services From Three to Five Per Week, and Sydney-los Angeles Services From Three to Four Per Week,” Qantas Ceo Alan Joyce Said in a Statement. “our Fifth and Sixth A380s Are Also Due for Delivery by the End of the Year, After Which We Will Offer Customers Daily A380 Services to London and Los Angeles From Sydney and Increase Melbourne-los Angeles Services From Two to Three Per Week. Qantas Says That Since October 2008 It Has Carried More Than 300,000 Passengers on Its 450-seat A380 Services. Vh-oqd, Msn026, is Also a ‘wave 2′ Production A380, Featuring Production Optimised Wiring. The New Aircraft is Named After One of the Airline’s Founders and Its First Chairman.

V Australia Spreads Its Wings

V Australia Has Announced Plans to Fly to Phuket and Johannesburg, While It Has Also Lodged an Application to Allow It to Fly Daily Services to Fiji. The Carrier is Also Delaying the Launch of Its Melbourne-los Angeles Services Until December. The Carrier Announced That It Will Launch Twice Weekly Services From Brisbane to Phuket From November 22, Followed by a Weekly Service From Melbourne to Phuket From December 3. The Carrier Will Also Start Twice Weekly Melbourne-johannesburg Services From March 13 2010. V Australia Has Also Pushed Back the Launch of Its Direct Melbourne-los Angeles Services Until December 1, and Will Only Operate Two Flights Per Week. The Services Were Originally Expected to Start on September 15 and Operate Three Times Weekly, and Passengers Holding Tickets Booked on Those Services Will Be Offered a Connecting Service Through Sydney or Brisbane. The Announcement of the New Services Came After V Australia Made an Application on August 12 to the International Air Services Commission (Iasc) to Allow It to Commence Daily Flights From Sydney to Fiji, Which Would See It Replace Pacific Blue’s Daily Services From December. However, Qantas Made a Competing Application for the Capacity on August 20, Citing Plans for Jetstar to Operate Daily A321 Services to Nadi.

Rex Launches Qld Services Regional Express Has Announced That It Will Commence Services Between Townsville and Mackay From October 1, Marking Its First Entry Into the North Queensland Market. “townsville and Mackay Are Wonderful Cities and Rex is Looking Forward to Building Local Relationships in the Region,” Said Rex Gm Network Strategy and Sales Warwick Lodge. “we Have So Far Employed 13 of the Former Macair Staff and We Intend to Take in More of the Retrenched Staff as Our Operations Grow.” the Airline Will Operate 17 Weekly Return Services on the Route, With Fares Starting From $129 One Way. The Services, Operated by Saab 340s, Will Add Approximately 60,000 Seats Per Annum. The New Services Will Be the Second Time Rex Has Entered the Queensland Market, Having Briefly Operated Flights Between Maryborough and Brisbane During 2007, Although Its Pel-air Subsidiary Currently Operates Saab 340s on Fly-in/ Fly-out Services Between Townsville and the Osborne Mine Near Cloncurry.

Cathay Calls on Suppliers to Share Pain

Cathay Pacific Airways Ceo Tony Tyler Said on September 8 That the Airline’s Suppliers of Parts and Components Should Lower Their Prices to Support the Airline Through the Current Challenging Period. “i Am Always Astonished When I Hear How Much What You Sell Us Costs,” Tyler Said in a Speech at the Asian Aerospace Forum on Hong Kong. “big Things, Small Things, Seats, Engines, Parts of All Kinds – How Can They Be So Expensive? I Know There Are Certification Costs. Things Have to Be Certified, of Course, and I Know the Regulatory Authorities Can Be Difficult to Satisfy at Times. But All the Same, the Prices of Some of the Items We Have to Pay for Are Far Too Rich. “It Particularly Irks Me When I Know a Supplier Has Reduced Its Costs Through Continuous Improvement, Quality Programmes, High Volume Production or Coming Down the Experience Curve, and Still Insists on an Escalation Clause Instead of Sharing Some of the Benefit. It’s Absurd to Expect an Industry Which is Estimated to Be Going to Lose Around Us$9bn This Year to Keep Paying Higher Costs for the Same Thing.” Cathay Has Been Hit Particularly Hard by the Decline in Long Haul Premium Travel, With the Carrier Forced to Undertake a Number of Cost-cutting Measures While Maintaining Many of Its Services.

Airline Briefs

Virgin Blue Has Announced That It Will Open the Lounge at the Domestic Terminal in Perth in December. Regional Pacific Airlines Has Launched a Carbon Offset Scheme for Its Flights in Partnership With Green Flight. Qantas Will Become the First Carrier to Fly an Airbus A380 Over Antarctica When It Operates a Charter on Behalf of Antarctica Sightseeing Flights on New Year’s Eve. A Second A380 Sightseeing Flight Will Operate on January 24, While a Boeing 747-400 Will Operate the Third Flight on February 14. Aeropelican Will Start Twice Daily Services on Week Days and Sunday Afternoon Services Between Sydney and Mudgee From October 12, With Fares to Start From $99 One Way. Mudgee Has Been Without an Air Link to Sydney Since Regional Express Withdrew From the Route in December. Qantas Had the Highest Rate of on-time Departures During July at 86.2 Per Cent, Followed by Virgin Blue, Tiger Airways and Jetstar. Regional Express Recorded the Highest on Time Departure Rate of the Regional Airlines at 87.2 Per Cent, Followed by Qantaslink and Skywest. Data From Bitre Shows That International Passenger Traffic During June Increased by 0.9 Per Cent, Making It the Third Consecutive Month of International Passenger Growth. Available Seats Increased by 3.1 Per Cent as Flights Increased by 2.9 Per Cent. Skywest Announced on August 24 That It Has Purchased an Additional Fokker 100, Taking Its Fleet of the Type to Nine. The Carrier Also Operates Seven Fokker 50 Turboprops. Qantas Has Announced That It Will Close Its Bangkok Cabin Crew Base, Resulting in the Loss of 123 Jobs. The Airline Does Not Expect to Reduce Its Australian Based Cabin Crew. Malaysia Airlines Ceo Idris Jala Stepped Down From the Airlines on August 28 After He Was Appointed as a Minister Without Portfolio in Malaysia’s Cabinet. He Has Been Succeeded by the Airline’s Cfo Tengku Azmil Zahruddin, Who Immediately Took Up the Position. Jetstar Asia Will Start Its First Services to Mainland China From December 16, With a Four Times Weekly Service From Singapore to Haikou in Hainan Province. The Services Will Be Made Possible Due to the Delivery of an Eighth Airbus A320 to the Singapore Based Carrier. Virgin Atlantic Has Implemented an E-ticketing Arrangement With Eurostar Which Will Allow Passengers to Make Seamless Bookings for Onward Services to and From London to Paris and Brussels. It is the First Such Agreement for Eurostar, While Qantas Has a Similar Codeshare Agreement With Germany’s Db Rail for Onward Connections From Frankfurt. British Airways Celebrated Its 90th Anniversary on August 25, Commemorating the First Daily Air Service Between London and Paris by Air Transport & Travel Ltd, a Precursor to Ba. the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines Says That Passenger Traffic Across Its Members During July Was Down 7.8 Per Cent Compared to the Same Time Last Year, With Load Factors Falling by 1.7 Percentage Points to 76.6 Per Cent. The Association Says That While Traffic Reductions Appear to Be Easing, Rising Fuel Prices Could Derail Any Recovery for the Industry. the Oneworld Alliance Has Announced It Will Discount Its Alliance Fares by 10 Per Cent From August 26 to November 3 as Part of Its 10th Anniversary Celebrations. Airasia X Announced on August 19 That It Will Begin Services Between Kuala Lumpur and Abu Dhabi With Airbus A340s From November 23. Ceo Azran Osman-rani Said That the Port Could Become a ‘virtual Hub’ for the Carrier to Operate Onward Services. Air China Has Raised Its Stake in Cathay Pacific to 29.99 Per Cent After It Bought a 12.5 Per Cent Stake From Citic Pacific. Air China is Now the Second Biggest Shareholder in Cathay After Swire Pacific, Which Itself Increased Its Holding in Cathay Pacific by Two Per Cent to 41.97 Per Cent. Pacific Wings Has Been Granted an Additional 0.5 Units of Capacity Allocation to Allow It to Operate Services to New Caledonia. With the Extra Allocation, Pacific Wings Will Be Able to Operate Up to Three Services Per Week to New Caledonia. the Iasc Has Granted Qantas an Additional 48 Seats Per Week on the Indonesia Route, Which Will Allow Jetstar to Upgrade Certain Services to Be Operated by A321s. Pacific Blue Has Also Been Granted an Allocation of 720 Seats Per Week on the Indonesia Route. Thai Airways International Has Announced That It Will Recommence Direct Bangkok-brisbane Services From October 25, Eliminating the Stopover in Sydney. The Flights Will Be Operated by Boeing 777-200ers, While the Sydney Services Will Be Operated by Airbus A340-600s. Emirates Has Announced That It Will Upgrade the Service Onboard the Boeing 777-300ers Which Operate on the Daily Auckland-sydney-dubai Route to a Similar Product on Board Its A380s in First and Business Class From December.

Environment

Wing Waggle to Cut Fuel Burn?

New Research Out of the Uk Claims That Aircraft Wings Which Redirect Air to Waggle Sideways Could Cut Aircraft Fuel Burn by as Much as 20 Per Cent. The New Approach, Which Promises to Cut Mid-flight Drag Dramatically, Uses Tiny Air Powered Jets That Redirect the Air, Making It Flow Sideways Back and Forward Over the Wing. The Jets Work by the Helmholtz Resonance Principle When Air is Forced Into a Cavity, the Pressure Increases and Forces Air Out and Sucks It Back in Again, Causing an Oscillation. Dr Duncan Lockerby, From the University of Warwick, Who is Leading the Project, Said “This Has Come as a Bit of a Surprise to All of Us in the Aerodynamics Community. It Was Discovered, Essentially, by Waggling a Piece of Wing From Side to Side in a Wind Tunnel. The Truth is We Are Not Exactly Sure Why This Technology Reduces Drag, but With the Pressure of Climate Change We Can’t Afford to Wait Around to Find Out. So We Are Pushing Ahead With Prototypes and Have a Separate Three Year Project to Look More Carefully at the Physics Behind It.” the Uk’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Which is Sponsoring the Research, Says That New Wings Incorporating the Jets Could Be Ready for Trials by 2012.

Trains to Replace Domestic Flights? Pressure Group Beyond Zero Emissions Has Claimed That Building an Electric Rail Link Between Sydney and Melbourne Could Cut Total Travel Time to Three Hours, Effectively Making It More Competitive Against Air Travel While Reducing Emissions. “a Zero Emissions Fast Train Network Serving Australia is Visionary and Nation Building. It Will Stimulate Our Domestic Construction Sector, Providing Thousands of Jobs, Whilst Being a Serious Step to Avoiding the Looming Oil and Climate Crises”, Said Matthew Wright, Campaign Director of Beyond Zero Emissions. Wright Added That Australia Was Lagging Behind Europe, Where He Claims That Fast Trains Are Replacing Air Travel as a Preferred Fast Transport Option. The Organisation Says That on a Sydney-melbourne Service That a Train Would Use the Same Amount of Energy but Would Be Able to Carry Eight Times as Many Passengers as an Aircraft. “the Current Climate Science Shows We Need to Urgently De-carbonise Our Society. Switching Interstate Travel From Air to Rail is an Important Part of That. This is a Reliable and Safe Technology Used Around the World for Decades,” Added Wright.

Environment Briefs

Boeing Delivered a 777-300er to Klm Royal Dutch Airlines on August 25 Which Features Commemorative Skyteam Alliance Livery, Applied With Chrome-free Paint and Primer. The New Paint and Primer Will Be Evaluated in Service, and is Aimed at Cutting Down the Environmental Impact of Handling Chrome Paint and Primer During the Repainting Process. Boeing Says It Intends to Make It a Standard Option in Future After the in-service Evaluation on the 777.

Airports

Goulburn Aeropark Gains Approval

a New $15 Million Aeropark Development Adjacent to Goulburn Airport Has Received Local Government Approval, and is Expected to Commence Construction in February 2010. The Inland City Aeropark Will Offer 30 Freehold Lots Over 72 Hectares. The Lots Will Have Taxiway Access for Aircraft Up to the Size of a Metro Iii. The Developers of the Project Say That It Has Been Designed to Meet the Needs of General Aviation Businesses Who Prefer the Security of Having Their Premises on Freehold Land, While Maintaining Close Access to Sydney.

Qal Airports Hit Another Record

Queensland Airports Limited, Which Operates Townsville, Mount Isa and Gold Coast Airports, Said That July Saw It Break a New Record for Passenger Traffic. The Three Airports Combined Saw 580,539 Passenger Movements, Beating the Previous Record of 577,708 Recorded in January This Year. Individually, the Biggest Increase in Passengers Was at Townsville, Which Recorded a 6.13 Per Cent Increase, While Gold Coast Was Up by 4.75 Per Cent. Mount Isa Saw a Decrease in Passengers of 17.89 Per Cent. “the Diversification of Our Airport and Market Portfolios Has Assisted the Qal Group to Sustain Growth Through a Very Challenging Period,” Qal Managing Director Dennis Chant Said. “our Airports Do Not, However, Take Continued Growth for Granted. We Work Continuously With Our Airlines and Our Regional Partners to Ensure That Together We Can Sustain a High Level of Service During Difficult Times,” He Added.

Airport Briefs

Airservices Australia Started Construction of a New $8.6 Million Aviation Rescue and Firefighting Service Building at Perth Airport in Late August as Part of Its Nationwide Upgrade of Facilities. The New Facility Will Be Built at the Northern End of the Main Runway, Replacing the Current Facility Near the Old Control Tower by the Domestic Terminal. Melbourne Airport Says That Its International Passenger Numbers Increased by 7.2 Per Cent During August, While Domestic Passenger Numbers Were Up by 1.4 Per Cent on the Same Time Last Year.

General Aviation

Diamonds Tour Nationally Hawker Pacific is Commencing a National Sales Tour of the Diamond Da20cls and Da40xls Aircraft During September and October. The Two Aircraft Will Be Based at Bankstown Until September 17, and Will Then Be Displayed at Moorabbin From September 19-21, Essendon on September 22, Port Macquarie on September 29, Gold Coast on September 30, Archerfield From October 1-2, Parafield on October 14 and Jandakot From October 17-19.

Sky Arrows Available Local Distributor Hilair Has Announced That Nine 3i Sky Arrow Light Sport Aircraft Have Been Made Available to the Australian Market at Reduced Prices. The Aircraft on Offer Include Three Used Aircraft, While the Six New Build Sky Arrow 600lsas on Offer Feature Long Range Fuel Tanks (Lrfts), Which Give the Aircraft Up to Seven Hours of Endurance. Hilair Director Geoffrey Hill Said, “when You Consider the Current Exchange Rate Plus the Extremely Competitive Pricing Offering Exceptional Value, Particularly for the Lsas Fitted With Lrfts, Then This is a Serious Package. The Lrft Was Introduced at Hilair’s Insistence With the Aussie Tyranny of Distance in Mind and Will Allow a Great Freedom of Movement. In June the Factory Offered Eight Aircraft but With the Inclusion of the Ninth and Fantastic Pricing Let’s Hope That This Offer Will Provide the Spring Stimulus for Sky Arrow in Australia.” the Sky Arrow is Powered by a Rotax 912 Engine and is Used Around the World as a Trainer and Personal Aircraft.

More Boomerangs in Service

Kingaroy Based Dean-wilson Aviation Has Recently Completed Delivery of Two New Boomerangs to Australian Flying Schools. One Aircraft Was Delivered to Flight One at Archerfield in June, While Jandakot Based Minovation Has Recently Also Taken Delivery of a Boomerang. Both Companies Are Existing Boomerang Operators Specialising in Flight Training. We Needed a Machine That Fitted Our Operating Model in Terms of Cost and Versatility, and Represented Value to the Student for Their Hard Earned Training Dollars,” Said Lucas Tisdall, Chief Operating Officer of Flight One. “the Fact That We Could Tour the Factory in Kingaroy and See the Pride With Which Aircraft Were Built Was Also a Telling Factor in Our Choice. The Team at Dean-wilson Aviation Could Not Be More Helpful as They Look for Ways to Continually Improve the Adaptability of the Boomerang in the Modern Training Environment, and This (Along With the Student Take Up) Was a Further Factor in Our Electing to Take on a Second Machine”. The Boomerang is a Far Part 23 Certified Twin-seater Aircraft Aimed at the Training Market, and is Powered by a Single Textron Lycoming O-235 or O-230 Engine.

General Aviation Briefs

Eastland Aviation Has Been Appointed as the Exclusive Distributor for Md Helicopters in Australia. The Company Also Represents Md Across New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Business Aviation

Premier Ii Progressing but Eis Delayed

Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (Hbc) Reports Two Significant Milestones Have Been Reached in the Development of Its Premier Ii Program Ahead of Anticipated First Flight in December This Year, but Has Also Announced That It Will Delay the Jet’s Entry Into Service. Hbc Said That the Williams International Fj44-3ap Engines to Be Used on the Premier Ii Had a Successful Test Flight Onboard a Premier Ia. The Company Also Confirmed That the First Fuselage of a Premier Ii Has Entered the Production Line. “i Couldn’t Be More Pleased With the Progress on the Premier Ii Program to Date, as Well as Our Continued Success Supporting Our Premier Customers,” Said Bill Boisture, Hbc Chairman and Ceo. However, With the Current Poor Market Conditions for Business Aircraft, Hbc Also Revealed That It Will Hold Back the Entry Into Service of the Premier Ii From 2012 to Early 2013. “while We Remain Fully Committed to Certifying and Fielding the Class-leading Premier Ii as Designed, We Must Be Prudent in Our Evaluation of the Current and Forecasted Global Economic Environment,” Said Boisture. “based on These Conditions, We Have Made the Decision to Extend the Entry-into-service Date to Better Align With Anticipated Rebound of the Business Jet Market.”

Embraer Expands Bizjet Services Embraer Has Expanded Its Customer Support Contact Centre for Executive Jet Operators to Cover All Models Worldwide. Based at Embraer’s Sao Jose Dos Campos Headquarters, the Centre Has Been Providing Telephone Support for Phenom 100 Operators in North America Since December 2008, but Will Now Offer Its Services to a Wider Operator Base. “this Initiative Reinforces Our Commitment to Offer Customers the Best Support,” Said Edson Carlos Mallaco, Embraer Vice President Customer Support and Services – Executive Jets. “the Contact Center is Staffed by Experienced Support Analysts Who Can Deal With Any Issue, Including Aog (Aircraft on Ground), Technical and Parts Support, Routine Maintenance, Spares, Aircraft Operations or Queries in General.”

Phenom 300 Progressing

the Fifth Phenom 300 Made Its First Flight on August 8, Which Embraer Says is a Major Milestone in the Certification of the Light Jet. “the Current Fleet of Four Prototypes Has Accumulated Over 850 Test Flight Hours,” Said Mauricio Almeida, Embraer Vp Programs – Executive Jets. “with This Fifth Aircraft, We Will Validate the Robustness of the Phenom 300 Under Normal Operating Conditions and the Superior Comfort of Its Interior, Which Was Designed in Partnership With Bmw Group Designworksusa.” the Certification Program for the Phenom 300 is Scheduled to Conclude During the Last Quarter of This Year, With First Delivery Expected Before the End of the Year. Over 800 Firm Orders Have Been Recorded for Both the Phenom 300 and the Smaller 100. Meanwhile, Embraer Has Announced That the Phenom 100 Received Casa Type Certification During July.

Execujet Increases Fleet

Execujet Has Announced That It Will Base a Bombardier Global Express Xrs in Sydney From November This Year, Adding to Its Fleet of Longhaul Business Jets Based in Australia. “australia Has Remained a Solid Market for Execujet – Buoyed by the Need for Long Range, Larger Jets, to Cover Such a Large Geographic Region,” Said Execujet’s Managing Director of Aircraft Trading Andrew Hoy. “corporate Use Has Historically Been Especially Buoyant Out of the Execujet Facility in Sydney as a Gateway Airport to Australia. Our Newly Opened All Purpose Facility at Brisbane International Airport, Incorporating an Executive Lounge, Hangarage and Engineering Capability, Has Been Well Received and is the Home to Both the New Global 5000 and Learjet 60xr.” Execujet Made the Announcement at the Asian Aerospace Exhibition in Hong Kong, Where the Company Also Noted That It is Close to Securing Its First Aircraft Sales Transaction in China.

Business Aviation Briefs

Bombardier Terminated an Order for 25 Learjet 60xrs From Jet Republic After the European Operator Fell Into Insolvency. Jet Republic Also Had Options on a Further 85 Aircraft. Gulfstream Aerospace Will Roll Out Its First Gulfstream G650 on September 29. The G650 is a Widebody Business Jet Aimed at the Long Haul Market. Gulfstream Announced on September 3 That the 500th Aircraft Featuring Its Enhanced Vision System Had Entered Service. Evs Utilises a Nose Mounted Forward Looking Infrared Camera Developed by Elbit Systems to Generate Real-time Images of the Aircraft’s Surroundings, Assisting Pilots During Low Visibility Conditions.

Cargo

Garuda Fights Cartel Charges

Garuda Indonesia Will Contest Charges Laid on It by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Accc) Over the Long Running Airfreight Price Fixing Cartel. The Accc Instituted Proceedings in the Federal Court on September 2, Alleging That Garuda Entered Into Agreements With Other Carriers to Fix the Price of Fuel and Security Surcharges on Air Cargo. However, the Airline Denies This, With a Spokesman Stating That Garuda Has Never Imposed a Fuel Surcharge on Cargo Shippers in Australia, While the Accc Has Relied Upon Alleged Events in Hong Kong and Indonesia to Make Its Case. “as Such, It is Difficult to See How These Events Could Have Affected the Supply of Services by Garuda Indonesia in Australia Where There Was No Fuel Surcharge,” the Spokesman Said. The Accc Has So Far Received Penalties of $41 Million From a Number of Carriers Including Qantas, British Airways, Air France and Cargolux Over the Surcharge Price Fixing Cartel, Which Relates to a Formula for Setting Surcharges Developed by Iata. Proceedings Against Emirates, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines Cargo Are Continuing.

Cargo Briefs

the Iasc Has Granted Pacific Air Express an Allocation of 35 Tonnes of Freight Capacity Per Week on the Vanuatu Route. Pae Plans to Commence Twice Weekly Services From October 30 With a Boeing 737-300f Operated by Airwork Nz.

Security

Cockpit Access Laws Fail

the Australian and International Pilots Association Has Welcomed a Move by the Senate to Vote Down a Regulation Which Would Have Banned Off-duty Licensed Pilots From Accessing the Flight Deck, Calling It a Step Forward in Improving Aircraft Safety. “safety and Security is at the Forefront of a Pilots Mind When We Fly. We Fully Support the Existing Legislation That Prohibits the Family of Airline Staff and Other Passengers From the Flight Deck. However, Allowing an Off Duty Pilot Access to the Flight Deck Enhances Safety, It is Not a Detraction,” Said Aipa President Captain Barry Jackson. The Legislation Was Introduced Into Parliament Earlier This Year by the Government to Tighten What It Saw as a Loophole in the Laws on Cockpit Access, but Was Defeated in the Senate by the Greens and Independent Senator Nick Xenophon. Transport Minister Anthony Albanese Hit Back at the Voting Down of the Regulations, Saying to the Australian Newspaper, “It is Completely Unsatisfactory for Such an Important Measure in Such a Vital Security Regime to Rely on Industry Self-regulation. The Rules on Who Can Open Hardened Cockpit Doors and Enter the Cockpit Should Be Set by the Parliament, Not Left to the Discretion of Pilots and Their Union.”

Cargo Scanner Wins Eureka Prize

a High Resolution Air Cargo Scanner Developed by the Csiro Has Won the 2009 Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Support of Defence of National Security. The Scanner Combines Fast Neutron and X-ray Radiography to Deliver High Resolution Images of Cargo in Containers. A Full Scale Prototype of the Scanner Was Tested by Customs at Brisbane International Airport. “unlike Existing X-ray Systems, the Images Collected by the Csiro Scanner Provide Information About the Composition of Materials Inside Cargo,” Said Minister for Defence Personnel, Material and Science, Greg Combet. “this Information Helps the Operator to Detect Organic Materials With Ill Defined Shapes Such as Concealed Narcotics and Explosives.” the Csiro is Now Working Towards Commercialising the Scanner, in Association With Nuctech Company Limited.

Maintenance & Training

New Contracts for Fta

Archerfield Based Flight Training Australia Has Won Two New Contracts to Train Cadet Pilots From China Eastern Airlines and the Civil Aviation University of China. Under the Contract 33 Students Were Set to Commence Training in August With an Additional 100 Expected From Now Until 2010. “flight Training Australia is Very Proud to Have Been Selected by Both China Eastern and Cauc as Their Australian Flight Training Partner,” Managing Director of Flight Training Australia Captain Peter Boughen Said. “this Recognises the Quality of Training Provided at Flight Training Australia and is Also Evidence of Australia Being a Major Player in the World Pilot Training Arena. Flight Training Remains a Growth Industry in Australia and We Are Planning on Expanding Our Facilities and Bases Further as Well as Employing Additional Staff.” Fta Also Announced That It Has Appointed Tony Powell as Its Cfi.

Jhas Wins Strategic Contract

John Holland Aviation Services Has Secured a Five Year Contract to Conduct Line Maintenance for Strategic Airlines. Jhas Will Provide Ground Support for Strategic’s A320 and A330 Fleets, Which Will Be Undertaken in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. Jhas Previously Carried Out Line and Heavy Maintenance for Ozjet, Which Was Recently Acquired by Strategic. “this New Contract Will Further Extend Our on-ground Capabilities at Tullamarine to Include Base Maintenance on A330 Aircraft,” Said Andrew Henderson, General Manager of Jhas. “line Maintenance Activities Will Be Carried Out in Brisbane, While Strategic Airlines’ Services to the North-west of Western Australia Will Be Serviced With Logistics and Line Maintenance Support From Our Team in Perth.” Jhas Was Formed in 2007 From the Former Ansett Aviation Engineering Services and is Based at Melbourne/tullamarine Airport. It Also Conducts Maintenance on Behalf of Tiger Airways Australia, Virgin Blue and Jetstar.

Maintenance &training Briefs

Airservices Australia and Tafe Nsw Signed an Agreement on August 26 to Establish a Trade-specific Curriculum and Deliver Training for Airservices’s Technical Trainees at the Riverina Institute. A Group of 18 Trainees is Currently Undertaking Training, With a Further 18 Being Recruited to Start in 2010. Fifteen International Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Students Graduated From Aviation Australia’s International Diploma of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Program on August 15. The Students, From Colombia, Korea, China and Malaysia Successfully Completed Their Diploma of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (Mechanical) and Have Each Been Granted an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Diploma, Plus European & Australian Examination Credits for Future Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licensing in the Turbine Powered Aeroplane Category of B1.1.

Air Safety

Kokoda Bound Twin Otter Crashes an Airlines Png Dehavilland Twin Otter Operating a Charter Flight From Port Moresby to Kokoda Crashed on August 11, Killing All 13 on Board. The Twin Otter Was Operating a Charter Flight for a Tour Company With Nine Australian and Two Japanese Trekkers Who Had Planned to Hike the Nearly 100km Long Kokoda Track, as Well as the Two Pilots. Initial Reports Indicated the Pilots Aborted Their First Approach to Land at the Remote and Rugged Kokoda Airstrip Due to Bad Weather, and That the Aircraft Was Understood to Be Lining Up for a Second Approach When It Hit the Side of a Nearby Mountain in What Was Reported as Poor Visibility. The Wreckage of the Aircraft, Was Located at 1600m Above Sea Level on Steep Terrain and in Dense Jungle Near the Village of Isaruva. The Adf Immediately Dispatched a Navy Sea King Helicopter and an Raaf Caribou Transport Which Were Already in the Png Area, and These Were Followed by a C-130j Hercules Carrying Supplies and Rescue Equipment and a C-17 Carrying Two Army Holsworthy-based Black Hawk Helicopters From Raaf Richmond. The First Rescuers Were Winched in the Crash Area by the Sea King While Others Hiked in From Isaruva, and a Clearing Was Quickly Established Next to the Crash Site So Investigators and Supplies Could Be Flown in by the Black Hawks. The Png Civil Aviation Authority Has Taken Possession of All Maintenance Records and Aircraft and Pilot Log Books From the Airline Which Has Suspended Operations Pending the Crash Investigation Outcome, and is Being Assisted by Four Australian Atsb Officers. All the Bodies Have Now Been Retrieved From the Crash Site and Taken to Port Moresby for Forensic Examination and Formal Identification. It is Yet to Be Decided Whether to Attempt to Retrieve the Wreckage of the Aircraft for Further Examination, or to Leave It at the Crash Site.

Air Safety Briefs

French Authorities Announced on August 20 That They Have Ended a Second Mission Searching for the Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorders From the A330-200 Which Crashed Off the Coast of Brazil While Operating Air France 447 on June 1. Casa Has Opened a Project to Review Fuel and Alternate Requirements as Required Under Car 234, in Response to “evidence That Fuel Quantity Issues Are Becoming Problematic”, as Well as Changes to a Related Section of Icao Annex Part 6. The Review is Expected to Strengthen Caap 234 to Improve Methods of Calculating Required Fuel by Operators and Pilots.

People

Defence Secretary to Move on the Secretary of the Australian Department of Defence, Mr Nick Warner, Has Stepped Down From the Position After a Difficult Period for the Department, and Will Be Replaced by Dr Ian Watt. Mr Warner Will Assume the Role of Director-general of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (Asis). He Departs the Department in the Midst of a Painful Reform and Budget Cutting Process, and in the Wake of Army Pay Issues and Questions Over the Relationship Between Senior Uniformed and Non-uniformed Members of the Department, and the Government. “nick and I Have Enjoyed a Very Close and Trusting Relationship and I Have Valued His Wise Counsel and Friendship,” Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston Said in a Statement. “nick Brought a Great Policy Capability to the Department After So Many Years as a Successful Diplomat. He Leaves a Very Important Legacy Including the 2009 White Paper and the Strategic Reform Program. Nick’s Great Passion and Tenacity in Driving Reform in Defence Has Been Critical. Under His Leadership Defence Received the First Unqualified Financial Audit in Seven Years and He Has Continued to Improve Governance.” Dr Watt is the Former Secretary of the Department of Finance and Deregulation.

People Briefs

Cathay Pacific Airways Has Appointed Dane Cheng as General Manager South West Pacific Based in Sydney. He Replaces Greg Hughes Who Will Now Be Fully Involved With His Role as a Director of John Swire & Sons Pty Ltd. China Southern Airlines Has Appointed Adam Zhang as Its General Manager Melbourne and Deputy General Manager Australia. Zhang Will Be Responsible for the Airline’s Operations in Melbourne, Including All Passenger and Cargo Sales Activities in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. Frances Cream From Gold Coast Airport Has Won the Airports Council International Asia Pacific ‘young Executive of the Year’ Award. Cream Won the Award for Her Research Work on the Subject of Economic Challenges Facing Airports During the Global Financial Crisis. Brindabella Airlines Flight Training Student Pilot Callum Larkham Was Presented With the Inaugural Raaa/jeppesen Pilot Scholarship by Jeppesen Australia General Manager Richard Low and Raaa Ceo Paul Tyrrell on September 4. The Annual $5000 Scholarship Aims to Assist and Encourage Individuals Seeking a Career in the Australian Aviation Industry as a Commercial Pilot.

Events

Avalon Dates Set

the 2011 Australian International Airshow and Aerospace and Defence Exposition Will Be Held From Tuesday March 1 to Sunday March 6, the Organisers Have Announced. The Early March Date for the Biennial Airshow at Avalon Was Chosen to Avoid Another Clash With the Australian Grand Prix, Which Necessitated a Shift of Dates for the 2009 Event. The 2011 Event Will Mark the 90th Anniversary of the Raaf. “we Expect Avalon to Be the Centre Piece of the 90th Anniversary Celebrations, and With Support From the Raaf, We Expect More International Military Aircraft Participation From a Wider Range of Countries Than Ever Before,” Airshow Ceo Ian Honnery Said. “we Are Thrilled at the Prospect That Avalon 2011 May Attract Some of the World’s Most Exciting and Rarely Seen Aircraft.”