Yester Year

The aircraft are due to enter service in September 2001 based at RAF Brize Norton.

• Crew training is now underway following a ceremony held in Seattle on August 29 marking the formal handover of the latest member of Boeing 767 family, a 767-400, to Delta Air Lines.

The other 767‑400 customer is Continental Airlines which received its first aircraft on August 31 and began services with the aircraft on September 14 on its Newark-Orlando route.

• On September 7 Boeing said that FAA type certification was granted to the 737-700C (Convertible) on August 31.

The only customer so far for this version is the US Naval Reserve, which has given the aircraft the designation of C-40A Clipper.

It will eventually replace the USN’s 27 C-9Bs.

• Qantas New Zealand, formerly Ansett New Zealand, commenced services on September 4 with its inaugural arrival in Auckland greeted by Prime Minister Helen Clark. Six of the fleet of 14 aircraft carry the Qantas New Zealand livery, with the remainder to be repainted by the end of this year.

• Singapore Airlines announced on September 29 that subject to the industrial launch of the new Airbus A3XX program it would purchase up to 25 examples of the new 555-seat airliner. It has signed an agreement covering the purchase of 10 aircraft and placed options on a further 15. The airline will become the first A3XX operator when its first aircraft is delivered in March 2006.

25 Years Ago

• The first US order for the new twin engined Fokker 100 has been received from USAir for 20 aircraft plus 20 options. USAir’s order takes Fokker 100 sales to 38 plus 31 options.

• A major defence order by Saudi Arabia valued at between ￡3 to ￡4 billion was completed in Riyadh on September 26 for 132 aircraft comprising 30 BAe Hawks, 24 Panavia Tornado ADVs, 48 Tornado IDSs and 30 Pilatus PC-9s.

• The first Lockheed C-5B Galaxy had its maiden flight from Dobbins AFB, Georgia, on September 10. The first of 50 C-5B transports is due to be delivered in December this year.

• The Italian navy’s anti-submarine warfare aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi was commissioned on September 30. It will be initially equipped with helicopters, but the design provides for the future deployment of V/STOL types such as the BAe Sea Harrier.

• The first flight of the prototype Gulfstream IV took place on September 19 from Savannah, Georgia. Powered by two 12,420lb (55. 3kN) Rolls-Royce Tay Mk. 610-8s, it can seat up to 19 passengers cruising at 530-577 mph with a range of 5100 miles.

• Orders are being sought by McDonnell Douglas for its proposed three-engined MD‑11, an advanced development of the DC-10 featuring the latest high bypass ratio engines. Provided sufficient launch orders are received by January 1986 the MD-11 could enter service in the second half of 1989.

• A new Irish operator RyanAir has commenced scheduled services with an Embraer EMB‑110 Bandeirante flying from Waterford to Gatwick.

50 Years Ago

• In a ceremony at Nellis AFB, Nevada, the first Republic F-105 Thunderchief tactical fighterbomber was accepted by the USAF’s Tactical Air Command on September 21.

• The last flying boat service operated by Tasman Empire Airways Limited was conducted on September 15 when the Short S. 45 Solent IV ZK-AMO Aranui departed on the airline’s Coral Route from Tahiti to Auckland. The Solent had accumulated 14,500 flying hours when it was withdrawn from use.

• The British government has invited the Hawker Siddeley Group and the British Aircraft Corporation to submit tenders for the design, construction, test and production of a supersonic airliner, with initial use by RAF Transport Command. It is expected the government will contribute ￡100 million with ￡30 to ￡40 million provided by the two companies.

• A six-man Australian team recently visited the Lockheed factory at Burbank, California, to carry out an evaluation of the F-104 Starfighter. The RAAF mission will soon present its report to the Minister of Defence on its evaluation of British, French and US types, with their recommendation for a replacement of the RAAF’s Commonwealth Sabres.

• Victa Consolidated Industries Pty Ltd is to put the Millicer Air Tourer into quantity production, with the first production aircraft powered by a 95hp (71kW) Continental planned to emerge from the line in April 1961. There will be an initial production run of 50 at a rate of five aircraft per month, and they are aimed to be offered to aero clubs as Tiger Moth replacements.