Newsdesk

Airbus’s view on flying, 2050 style
Airbus has unveiled a new concept of how flying could look in 2050 with its Concept Cabin.
Airbus says the Concept Cabin features a “bionic structure [that] mimics the efficiency of bird bone which is optimised to provide strength where needed, and allows for an intelligent cabin wall membrane which controls air temperature and can become transparent to give passengers open panoramic views”.

Airbus delivers 50th A380
Airbus delivered the 50th customer A380 on June 16, with the milestone aircraft (MSN058, registered 9V-SKL) handed over to Singapore Airlines.
Singapore Airlines was the first airline to place the A380 into service, in 2007, and now has taken delivery of 12 of the type.
Airbus says so far in 2011 it has delivered nine A380s – three each to Qantas and Lufthansa and Qantas, and single examples to Singapore Airlines, Air France and Korean Air.
Meanwhile, Korean Air placed the A380 into service on June 17, with flight ‘KE380′ taking off from Seoul’s Incheon International Airport at 09h10 local time bound for Tokyo Narita.

Superjet enters Aeroflot service
Russian flagship carrier Aeroflot completed its first Sukhoi Superjet 100 commercial flight on June 16.
Superjet S/N 95008 operated Aeroflot’s maiden flight, taking off from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport at 9:10 am local time and landing at Pulkovo International Airport in St Petersburng at 10:40am, with a host of government and company officials onboard.
Aeroflot has ordered a total of 30 SSJ100s, with plans to purchase a further 10 more at a later date. The Superjet entered service with launch customer Armavia Airlines in April.

Airbus considers winglet retrofit program for A320
Airbus is considering a possible retrofit option of large winglets for existing A320 family aircraft, after being encouraged by the response to its current ‘Sharklet’ program for new build aircraft.
The manufacturer will evaluate the “technical, operational and business aspects” of a potential retrofit program, which would “directly benefit from Airbus’s experience in developing the forward-fit Sharklet option” for new-build A320s.
“We’ve begun investigating in earnest, and our technical teams are confident that we can develop a retrofit solution. We are committed to making it happen either in-house or with external partners,” executive vice president, programs Tom Williams said.
“We are confident that our customers will appreciate not only the benefits from improved fuel efficiency that retrofitting large winglets will bring to their in-service A320 Family fleets, but also from the enhanced residual value,” he added.

787 begins F&R and ETOPS testing
Boeing has begun function and reliability (F&R) testing and extended operations (ETOPS) demonstrations with its Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 powered 787 test fleet, the final phase of flight testing before FAA certification later this year.
F&R testing aims to simulate various “normal and non-normal” operations in a realistic environment, while ETOPS will evaluate the aircraft’s ability to safely divert in case of a major problem, including engine failure. Boeing is also continuing certification testing on 787s with General Electric engines, and is expected to begin a separate F&R/ETOPS program at a later date.
The 787 is due to enter service with 180 minutes ETOPS clearance, with 330 minutes ETOPS following in early 2012, after a software upgrade.
Boeing 787 vice president and general manager Scott Fancher said the company was ready for the final phase of testing before first deliveries of the 787 are made to launch customer ANA in the coming months. “The team has created a solid plan for accomplishing the hours and test points required for F&R and ETOPS testing in support of delivery to our customer ANA in the August to September time period,” he said

Boeing, ANA begin SROV trials with 787 in Japan
Boeing and All Nippon Airways have completed service ready operational validation (SROV) with the 787 Dreamliner in Japan, as the airline prepares to take delivery of its first aircraft later this year.
Arriving at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport after a non-stop flight from Seattle on July 4, 787 flight test aircraft ZA002 participated in the week long SROV process, which saw the aircraft conduct a number of scheduled in-service operations to several airports throughout Japan. SROV flights included trips between Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and Osaka (Itami and Kansai), Okayama and Hiroshima. While in Japan, ANA ground crews also practiced maintenance and servicing of the 787 in a simulated operational environment.
“Validating all of our training and preparations for the Dreamliner is critical to help ensure a smoother entry into service for our passengers and crews later this year,” ANA president and CEO, Shinichiro Ito said.
Launch customer ANA currently has 55 787s on order, with the first aircraft expected to be delivered in the August to September timeframe.

Commercial Briefs
* Boeing has opened a new 787 vertical fin assembly line at Salt Lake City, Utah, with production starting in July. Operated by Boeing Fabrication, the new assembly line will build vertical tail fin assembles for all 787s to be assembled at Boeing’s South Carolina plant.

* Airbus will aim to have half of all A320 rudder production take place in China by 2014, after signing an agreement with joint venture partner AVIC HAFEI in Berlin on June 29. Under the agreement, Hafei’s Airbus Composite Manufacturing Centre (HMC) will increase its production of A320 rudders progressively from its current rate of three shipsets per month to 21 shipsets per month by 2014.

China Southern A380 emerges from the paintshop
The first Airbus A380 for China Southern has emerged from the paintshop at Airbus’s Hamburg facility. It is the first of five A380s China Southern has on order.

Sales Box

Airbus A320: Philippines based Cebu Pacific has ordered 30 Airbus A321neos, plus has taken options for a further seven A320s in a deal worth US$3.8 billion. Chinese firms China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CAS) and ICBC Financial Leasing Co have also signed agreements for a total of 88 Airbus A320 variants.
Airbus A330: Singapore Airlines has finalised an agreement with Airbus to acquire an additional 15 A330-300s, which will be leased for an initial six year term. Garuda Indonesia has signed a firm order for four Airbus A330-300s, while it has converted three previously placed A330-200 orders into -300 versions.

Military

Brown becomes CAF after RAAF command changeover ceremony

The RAAF has a new Chief of Air Force (CAF) after Air Marshal Mark Binskin formally handed over command to newly promoted Air Marshal Geoff Brown today.
Brown was announced as the incoming CAF by Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Defence Minister Stephen Smith on June 1 as part of the changeover of defence senior leadership positions, which also sees AIRMSHL Binksin become Vice Chief of the Defence Force, and GEN David Hurley replace the retiring Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston as Chief of the Defence Force (CDF).
The ceremony, held outside Russell Offices in Canberra, was attended by ACM Houston, LTGEN Hurley, the Army and Navy service chiefs, and several hundred Air Force members. It included a flypast by a RAAF Super Hornet, two ‘classic’ Hornets and a Hawk during AIRMSHL Binskin’s last general salute as CAF.
“I have been, and remain, tremendously proud of what we have achieved over the last three years and feel extremely privileged to have been Chief of Air Force during that time,” said AIRMSHL Binskin. “I would like to join with my wife Gitte and personally thank everyone within Air Force and your families for your dedication and support during the period and wish all of you the very best for your future careers. I will continue to watch Air Force grow and deliver airpower globally with great interest!”
“To be charged with the care and future development of the Air Force is a great privilege,” said AIRMSHL Brown. “To be entrusted with the wellbeing and the command of the men and women of the Air Force is a very special honour and an even greater responsibility.”
Significantly, if briefly, there are for the first time in RAAF history three three-star (Air Marshal) ranked Air Force officers – AIRMSHLs Binskin and Brown, plus AIRMSHL John Harvey, who is head of Defence’s Capability Development Group – and an Air Force four-star officer, in ACM Houston.
ACM Houston has retired with the promotion of GEN Hurley to CDF on July 4.
Meanwhile, current Air Attache to Washington AIRCDRE Leo Davies has been appointed as the next Deputy Chief of Air Force, replacing now AIRMSHL Geoff Brown.
AIRCDRE Davies won’t take up the position, which will see him promoted to Air Vice-Marshal, until the end of the year. In the interim AIRCDRE Neil Hart will be acting DCAF.
AIRCDRE Davies is a former CO 1SQN and OC 82WG.

India orders 10 C-17s
The Indian Ministry of Defence has finalised its much anticipated order for 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transports, which makes India the world’s largest export customer for the type, with deliveries due to take place in 2013-14.
India’s finalised order follows US Congress FMS approval of the deal in May, with the Indian Air Force conducting extensive field evaluation trails of the aircraft the following month. India will also participate in Boeing’s performance-based logistics ‘C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership’ program to maintain the aircraft.
Boeing says 232 C-17s have now been delivered worldwide, including four to the RAAF, with a fifth airlifter expected to arrive this month.

Lockheed Martin provides F-35 progress report
Lockheed Martin the F-35 flight test program has now achieved 411 flights so far this year.
From the beginning of 2011 until May 31, the F-35 accomplished 378 flights and 3342 test points, ahead of the planned figures of 297 flights and 2217 test points respectively. Milestones for the program include F-35B STOVL jet BF-1 performing its 100th vertical landing on May 12 and F-35A AF-1 flying to Mach 1.53, the fastest speed recorded of any F-35 so far. Meanwhile, F-35A AF-7 completed the longest test mission flown at 4.1 hours.
The USAF also accepted the second LRIP F-35A (AF-6) into service on May 13, F-35A AF-9 completed its first flight on the same day. Two F-35C carrier variants (CF-2 and CF-3) were delivered to the F-35 test fleet at NAS Patuxent River on May 16 and June 2 respectively. All three F-35 variants also flew a record total of 94 System Development and Demonstration (SDD) flights for May, the highest achieved for a single month in the program’s history.

Elta to provide AESA radar for Airbus C295 AEW&C program

Airbus Military and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at this year’s Paris Airshow to jointly develop and market the C295 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platform, as both companies cite a growing demand for mid-size early warning aircraft.
The MoU will see IAI subsidiary Elta Systems provide the C295′s AEWC capability with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and integrated IFF.
The agreement follows flight trails of a C295 fitted with a rotodome dummy at Airbus Military’s Seville facility which began on June 7.

Second KC-30A touches down in Australia
The RAAF’s second Airbus Military KC-30A tanker has arrived in Australia, touching down at RAAF Amberley on June 18 before being formally handed over on June 22.
The arrival of the second fully completed KC-30A (A39-002) follows the delivery of the RAAF’s first aircraft on May 30.
All five KC-30As will eventually serve with 33 Squadron, restoring a much-needed aerial refuelling capability that was lost with the retirement of the RAAF’s Boeing 707 tankers in June 2008.

RR to offer performance improvements for T56
Rolls-Royce has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Lockheed Martin to provide a number of “performance improvements” to the T56 family of engines, with its latest Series 3.5 engine enhancement kit.
Rolls-Royce says that it’s 3.5 enhancement kit would improve the standard T56 engine’s fuel efficiency by up to nine per cent, plus also offer increased turbine life and better performance in ‘hot and high’ operating conditions.
The T56 powers Lockheed’s C-130H, P-3 Orion and L-100 aircraft.

Northrop Grumman joins Global Supply Chain program
Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare has signed a Global Supply Chain Deed (GSCD) with Northrop Grumman, which sees the US based defence company join Australia’s Global Supply Chain program.
“Northrop Grumman is a big addition to our Global Supply Chain program and I’m pleased they have come on board,” Clare said in a statement.
“Australian small and medium businesses have a range of quality products and services. This Deed will help them get access to more work across the global supply chain of one of the world’s largest Defence companies.”
In addition to Northrop Grumman’s recent agreement, Boeing, Raytheon, Thales, Eurocopter and Lockheed Martin have also signed GSCDs with the federal government, which in turn provides funding to multi-national defence companies to hire a team of people to identify and certify Australian companies as part of their global supply chains.
“To date it [the Global Supply Chain program] has delivered more than a 30-fold return on investment with more than $356 million in contracts awarded to Australian industry,” Minister Clare said.
“Australian SMEs have been the big winners, winning about 90 per cent of the value of these contracts.”

BAE to realise Hawk maintenance savings under SRP

BAE Systems Australia and the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) have signed a two year, $150 million Contract Change Proposal covering RAAF Hawk Lead-in Fighter maintenance which will yield significant savings under Defence ‘s Strategic Reform Program (SRP).
“Our efforts have resulted in an annual contract saving of greater than 10 per cent,” BAE Systems Australia CEO Jim McDowell, noting that his company had worked closely with the RAAF’s 78 Wing and the DMO’s Tactical Fighter Systems Program Office (TFSPO) to achieve the savings.
In effect since July 1, the new contract is worth $150 million.
McDowell said the savings had been achieved through an 18 per cent reduction in total tasks, a 24 per cent reduction in maintenance hours and a reduction in turnaround time due to a revised maintenance strategy, plus an improved aircraft overhaul program, and continuous improvement and lean strategies across engineering, logistics and supply chain management areas.
BAE has provided through-life support to the RAAF’s 33-strong Hawk fleet at its Williamtown facility since the aircraft first entered service in 2000.

Lockheed Martin cuts 1500 Aeronautics jobs

Lockheed Martin has announced plans to cut 1500 job across its Aeronautics division, citing a need to increase product “affordability” and “operational efficiency” ahead of spending cutbacks by the Pentagon.
The company employs approximately 28,000 people in its Aeronautics business across the United States, with the bulk of reductions expected to come from its principal sites in Texas, Georgia and California. Lockheed Martin will offer “eligible salaried employees” the option of voluntary layoffs in August, with the company set to undergo an extensive review of “every organisation and position” before making arbitrary reductions in mid-September.
“Bold and responsible action is necessary to meet customer expectations and reduce our costs. We are realigning the organisation to be more efficient and agile, and a reduction in force will enable us to meet the requirements of our changing business environment,” Lockheed Martin Aeronautics executive vice president, Ralph Heath said.
The recent development follows Lockheed Martin’s announcement of 1200 job cuts in its space systems equipment division in June.

Military Briefs

* Airbus Military has finalised a strategic collaboration agreement with PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), aimed at providing support to the Indonesian aerospace industry. Signed on July 6, the agreement follows on from a MoU signed between both parties in Feburary, and will initiate the first phase of the program, with Airbus Military to support PTDI in enhancing its industrial processes and increasing global efficiency.
* An Airbus Military A330 MRTT Future Strategic Transport Aircraft (FSTA) for the RAF has completed its first contacts with a Tornado as part of a program to formally qualify the Tornado to refuel from the FSTA in operational service. The two aircraft performed a series of dry contacts near RAF Boscombe Down over late June/early July, with the Tornado executing contacts with the A330’s underwing hose-and-drogue pods’ baskets at altitudes between 10,000ft and 30,000ft and speeds of 250-325kt. Wet contacts between both aircraft are expected to begin shortly.

Airlines

Qantas slows domestic growth, cuts aircraft orders
Qantas has announced it is significantly scaling back group domestic capacity growth over the next two years, which will see it cancel or defer orders for 12 narrowbody airliners.
The airline says that “in response to slower overall growth” that it now plans to grow its domestic capacity by 5.5 per cent for 2011-12, rather than the previously planned eight per cent growth rate. It plans to save $100 million in capital expenditure for the remainder of this financial year, $300 million in capital expenditure for 2011/12, and reduce planned aircraft lease payments by $300 million in 2011-12.
The Qantas Group will now take delivery of 34 aircraft in 2011/12, down from 43 previously planned, and three fewer aircraft in the second half of 2010/11. The aircraft deferrals and cancellations will comprise six Boeing 737-800s on order for Qantas, and six Airbus A320 aircraft on order for Jetstar.
“The Qantas Group has always taken decisive action to match capacity to demand,” CEO Alan Joyce said.
“With Qantas continuing to lead the premium market and Jetstar offering consistently low fares in the leisure market, we are well placed to retain our profit maximising 65 per cent domestic market share. Our extensive fleet renewal strategy will support growth and improve product for both airlines.”

Joyce flags Qantas intl changes
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce says he will unveil restructuring plans for the longer term future of Qantas’s international operations on August 24 after revealing on June 22 that the airline’s international division will make a $200 million loss for the current financial year.

“In FY11, Qantas International is forecast to generate a loss before interest and tax of approximately $200 million, on invested capital of over $5 billion, with a weaker result expected next year,” Joyce said in a statement.
“Qantas International is the Group’s weakest business – it has achieved required returns only three times in the past 15 years. Clearly the situation is not sustainable. However, we are developing a long term strategy aimed at restoring competitiveness and profitability.”

In a lunchtime speech to the National Press Club in Canberra, Joyce flagged an increasing reliance on alliance relationships, new operations in Asia, and cuts to “non-performing and unsustainable parts of the international business” as key planks in the new strategy for Qantas International.
“We will make the tough decisions,” Joyce warned.

Without elaborating, Joyce said Qantas would “be establishing a platform for future success” in Asia, perhaps eluding to rumoured plans of setting up a new long haul full service airline in Singapore.

As for alliance relationships, including Qantas’s oneworld membership, “We will be taking these relationships to the next level, including the joint venture level”, Joyce said, highlighting Qantas’s alliance partnership with British Airways as a model for future alliance arrangements.
Echoing Rod Eddington’s famous observation of Ansett more than a decade ago, Joyce said that “Qantas International is a great airline, but currently it is a poor business.”
He said the Qantas International of the future would, “instead of being restricted to an Australian-based international airline, … will be participating in major regional opportunities, and in the world beyond.”

Said Joyce, “We will be taking Qantas know-how on the global road, leveraging our excellence in brand management, aviation safety, finance, marketing, product and service, and our culture of innovation, to find new sources of revenue and profit.”

In the nearer term, Qantas says for the current financial year about to end on June 30 that it will record an underlying profit before tax in the range of $500-550 million, up more than a third on the 2009-10 financial year’s result.

That result will come despite significant natural disasters impacting the bottom line, and after a $93 million settlement with Rolls-Royce over the QF32 engine explosion incident last November, which was finalised on June 22.

Joyce said the impact from the Chile volcano disruptions through to June 20 was estimated at $21 million, with the Japanese earthquake and tsunami having a $72 million impact, a $95 million impact from the Queensland floods and cyclones, and an $11 million impact from the Christchurch earthquake.

Joyce said the repairs to the A380 involved in the QF32 incident, VH-OQA Nancy-Bird Walton, would cost around $135 million and be covered by insurance, with the aircraft not expected to return to service until February 2012.

In comparison to Qantas International, “Our Qantas Domestic airline is performing very strongly, with a profit which covers its cost of capital,” Joyce said, while “Jetstar is making a strong profit. It is a high growth business. And it has massive potential across all of its markets.”

Qantas streamlines domestic fares

Qantas is streamlining its domestic fare structure, moving from a five to a four tiered fare system from July 7.

Instead of today’s ‘Red eDeal’, ‘Super Saver’, ‘Flexi Saver’, ‘Fully Flexible’ and ‘Business’ fares, the new fare levels will comprise Red eDeal, Flexi Saver, Fully Flexible and Business.
Qantas says Red eDeals will be its “lowest year round fares”, while Flexi Saver fares offer “a greater range of flexibility”. Fully Flexible fares will offer “complete” flexibility with the option of full refunds.

All Qantas domestic fares include a 23kg, one piece checked bag allowance, complimentary meal or snack, and inflight entertainment except on QantasLink flights.

As well as the revised fare levels, from July 7 Qantas will also introduce frequent flyer scheme changes. All domestic economy fares will be eligible for business class upgrades using frequent flyer points, while all flexible domestic fares will be classed as ‘economy’ for status credit earning purposes.

The long awaited Senate enquiry into pilot training and airline safety has recommended that an ATPL should be the minimum licence standard for copilots on “high capacity” RPT jet airliners such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320.

“The committee is of the view that an ATPL should also be required for first officers in high capacity regular public transport (RPT) jet aircraft such as Boeing 737, A320 and other aircraft of similar or greater capacity, and that consideration be given to implementing this as a standard,” reads the report’s first recommendation.

That recommendation seemingly rejects the move by Qantas subsidiary Jetstar to move to a “competency based” training approach through its new cadet pilot training scheme, where graduates to that scheme hold a CPL with 250 flying hours, whereas a pilot must typically have 1500 flying hours experience to hold an ATPL.

Report instigator Senator Nick Xenophon called the report’s findings a “massive rebuff” to Jetstar’s cadet pilot scheme.

“The findings of this inquiry are a huge wake-up call to the aviation industry,” said Senator Xenophon in a statement.

“The dozens of pilots and crew members I’ve spoken to in recent months have said they’re worried about the apparent race to the bottom when it comes to safety.”

Found the report: “A number of submitters and witnesses, however, argued that the minimum flight hours requirement for copilots operating RPT flights should be increased to 1500. This proposal was said to achieve a more appropriate balance between experience and competency based training approaches, particularly in light of the potential consequences of accidents involving high capacity RPT services. The use of copilots with flight experience hours approaching the licence minima was said to involve a number of latent safety risks, notably the inability of a copilot to replace and/or support the captain in cases of emergency, and the reluctance of a very inexperienced copilot to question the actions of an experienced captain (a circumstance described as involving a steep cockpit authority gradient).”

Nonetheless, for aircraft smaller than the 737/A320 size class, the report stopped short of calling for the ATPL to be mandatory. Instead, it recommended that “that for non-jet operations which employ low-experience first officers, operators be required to provide enhanced supervision and mentoring schemes to offset such lack of experience.”

New CASA maintenance regulations come into effect

CASA’s new suite of maintenance regulations for regular public transport (RPT) operations – covering continuing airworthiness requirements (Part 42), approved maintenance organisations (Part 145), maintenance personnel licensing (Part 66), and maintenance training organisations (Part 147) – came into effect on June 27.

The rules, which are being phased in over a two year period, are based on European EASA regulations, and have seen over 7000 LAMEs issued with their new licences under Part 66.
“The regulations will deliver a clearer focus on safety outcomes, while allowing maintenance organisations flexibility in the way they conduct their operations,” CASA said in a statement.
AMROBA, the Aviation Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Business Association, has been critical of the changes, noting on its website that, “all the risks associated with the introduction of these new rules have not been addressed. These rules were supposed to ‘harmonise’ with the EASA maintenance regulations but, once again, are unique and will not assist with harmonisation with EASA or the FAA…”

Claims AMROBA, “Unlike the EASA regulations they are based on, the increased regulatory imposts of these regulations will further increase costs with no improvement in safety.”

Air NZ’s ‘CEO for the Day’ returns

Air New Zealand is set to give 10 promising high school students a taste of corporate life with its annual ‘CEO for the Day’ program.
First run in 2010, ‘CEO for the Day’ allows 10 students the chance to participate in a range of activities for one day alongside CEO Rob Fyfe, including a tour of the airline’s engineering base, an interactive strategy session, a preview of new innovations being created in the design lab, and a sponsorship talk with some of the airline’s well known celebrities.
“It’s a real privilege for me to spend some time with these students and give them a taste of the aviation industry and what it’s like to lead a dynamic and distinctly Kiwi airline,” Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe said.

Virgin Australia domesic traffic down

Virgin Australia domestic passenger numbers fell 1.1 per cent in May compared to May 2010, the airline has reported, with capacity (in ASKs) trimmed by 0.9 per cent, although RPKs (up 3.8 per cent) and load factor (up 3.6 points) both improved for the month.

Traffic in RPKs for its Pacific Blue and V Australia operations was up by 19.2 per cent in May, with capacity (in ASKs) up 9.6 per cent, and load factor up six points. But passenger numbers were down by 10.3 per cent (due largely to Pacific Blue’s withdrawal from the NZ domestic market).
In all, the airline carried 1,289,639 domestic and 193,084 international passengers in May.

Government to boost Indonesia flights with MoU

Up to 27,500 seats per week will now be made available to Australian and Indonesian airlines operating between both countries, after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 1.

Representing an 86 per cent increase on capacity on existing levels, the agreement covers 25,000 seats per week for airlines of either nation flying to and from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane, and an additional 2500 seats if those airlines make a stopover flight at an Australian regional international airport. Codesharing will also be permitted between participating airlines.
“In the 12 months to April this year, more than 1.8 million people travelled between Australia and Indonesia. The…market has been growing at an average of 32 per cent every year over the past three years,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese said in a statement.

“It is important that our aviation services keep up with the strong growth in demand for travel between our two nations,” he added.

QF32 captain defends crew actions over Singapore landing

QF32 pilot Captain Richard de Cresipgny has defended the actions taken by his crew after an uncontained engine failure forced the Sydney-bound Airbus A380 to return to Singapore’s Changi Airport in November last year.

Speaking at a joint event hosted by the Australian Association of Aviation and Aerospace Industries (AAAAI) and Monash University in June, the veteran pilot hit back at internet criticism which questioned why the crew of QF32 did not land immediately after the explosion occurred, and the decision not to evacuate passengers and crew via the aircraft’s escape slides.
“It was threat and error management. If we’d landed straight away we may have got the approach speed too low and stalled, or approached too fast and ended up off the runway,” de Crespigny argued, adding that it took 55 minutes to stabilise the A380 once the explosion occurred.

“We had fuel, and fuel gave us time.”

On the decision not to deploy escape slides, de Crespigny said the crew was driven by a desire to avoid unnecessary injuries, such as the risk of broken limbs caused by the panic of an evacuation. “Our decision was based on the facts of where are the passengers safest right now,” he said.

de Crespigny also praised the reliability of Rolls-Royce engines and engine technology in general, pointing out that modern commercial jet engines had a failure rate of only 0.3 per 100,000 hours in 2010.

Revised Jetstar livery breaks cover

Jetstar’s modestly revised livery, featuring the modified titles which first appeared on the airline’s website and marketing material in May, has broken cover on an Airbus A320 due to be delivered shortly to Jetstar Asia.

The aircraft, MSN 4772, has been spotted at Airbus’s Hamburg plant, and is due to be delivered to Jetstar Asia as 9V-JSK.

The revised logo features the Jetstar titles in black, rather than ‘Jet’ in black, ‘star’ in orange and ‘.com’ in grey as it has appeared on Jetstar aircraft to date.

Alliance acquires two Fokker 70s, additional Fokker 100s

Alliance Airlines will become the first Australian operator of the Fokker 70, with the acquisition of two Fokker 70LRs, the first of which has arrived at its Brisbane base.
Alliance says it has reached agreement with an unnamed major customer to operate the Fokker 70s nonstop from the east coast to a a mine site in northwest WA. In addition, the airline says it is in discussion with other potential clients interesting in the Fokker 70′s capabilities, while Alliance “also has plans to use the aircraft for a range of other tasks on the eastern seaboard”.

“The decision to buy the Fokker F70LR aircraft was made after a review of the operating capabilities of a number of aircraft types,” said Scott McMillan, managing director of Alliance Airlines.
“The capabilities of the F70LR and the ability to easily integrate the aircraft into our existing fleet made the F70LR a natural choice.”

Alliance, a major player in the FIFO mine contract charter market, is also acquiring two additional Fokker 100s. With the delivery of the two Fokker 70s and the two additional Fokker 100s, the Alliance fleet will comprise 18 100-seat Fokker 100s, the two 75-seat Fokker 70LRs, and five 50-seat Fokker 50 turboprops.

A shortened development of the Fokker 100, just 48 Fokker 70s were built in the mid 1990s with the collapse of Fokker in 1996.

Airline Briefs

Hawaiian sticks with Air NZ for 767 heavy maintenance

Hawaiian Airlines has renewed its Boeing 767 heavy maintenance contract with Air New Zealand for a further five years, continuing a long standing partnership between both airlines.
The renewed contract will continue to see Hawaiian’s 18 strong 767 fleet rotate through Air New Zealand’s Auckland heavy maintenance facility, with one aircraft already occupying the heavy maintenance line for 10 months of the year.

Shenzhen to join Star Alliance

Chinese carrier Shenzhen Airlines has been approved to join the Star Alliance network, after unanimous approval by its chief executive board.
“With the approval of our chief executive board we today formally start the integration process of Shenzhen Airlines, which upon completion will allow Star Alliance to once again enlarge its offer across mainland China and neighbouring countries,” Star Alliance CEO Jaan Albrect said.

Environment

Bio-fuelled 747-8 Freighter arrives at Paris Airshow

Boeing’s 747-8 Freighter arrived at Le Bourget Airport on June 20 for the Paris Airshow after completing its trans Atlantic crossing powered by biofuel.
Part of Boeing’s five-strong commercial aircraft line-up for Paris, the 747-8 Freighter flew from Boeing’s Everett, Washington, facility with all four of its General Electric GEnx-2B engines powered by a blend of 15 per cent camelina based biofuel mixed with 85 per cent traditional kerosene Jet A fuel.

Boeing says the flight was “the first transatlantic flight of a large commercial airplane powered on all engines by a sustainable aviation jet fuel”.
The aircraft will remain on static display at the air show until June 22 when it will be flown over to Luxembourg to visit the headquarters of launch customer Cargolux.

Virgin signs up to Aussie biofuel initiative

Virgin Australia has partnered with the Renewable Oil Corporation (ROC), Dynamotive Energy Systems Corporation (DYMTF) and the Future Farm Industries Co-operative Research Centre (FFI CRC) to develop a sustainable aviation biofuel, aimed at reducing environmental impact and helping Australian farms.

The partnership will experiment with the use of fast pyrolysis technology developed by Dynamotive to farm and process a sustainable mallees eucalypt tree as a source of biofuel.
“We believe this new project has great potential given the results with the technology and the availability of this unique Australian feedstock,” Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti said.
“Over the past few years Virgin Australia has been working with stakeholders across the industry to research and develop bio-derived renewable fuels that can be used to progressively replace conventional aviation fuels,” he added.

The consortium is currently finalising plans for a demonstration unit to be operational by 2012, that will make biofuels for testing, certification and public trials.

Airports

Melbourne, Sydney record strong intl pax growth for May

Melbourne and Sydney airports have both recorded strong increases in international passenger numbers in May, with more modest domestic growth.
Melbourne’s very strong international passenger growth is continuing, with international passenger numbers up 18.5 per cent on May 2010 to 490,306. Domestic passenger numbers increased 4.0 per cent to 1,763,396.

Meanwhile, passenger numbers at Sydney in May also increased, with overall passenger numbers up 4.2 per cent compared to May 2010. Domestic passenger numbers rose 3.0 per cent to 1,961,000, while international passengers were up 7.8 per cent to 853,000.

Albanese approves Townsville Master Plan

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese has announced the approval of Townsville Airport’s new Master Plan,which outlines its strategic direction over the next 20 years.
The Master Plan highlights a number of proposals for future growth at the airport, including a passenger terminal redevelopment, expansion of the apron area, and a progressive upgrade of existing GA facilities adjacent to the main terminal.
“Townsville Airport delivers vital aviation services across North Queensland and is a vital gateway to the region, with passenger numbers expected to grow by an average of 3.7 per cent a year to more than 3.5 million by 2030,” Albanese said.
“As these developments proceed, I expect the operator to undertake appropriate consultations with the airport’s joint user, the Defence Department, as well as State and local planning authorities and the wider community,” he said, adding that the introduction of a Community Aviation Consultation Group would assist this process.
Townsville Airport has been given 50 business days to present its Master Plan to the public.

Business

AVWest announces Bombardier business jet order at Paris

Perth based corporate jet operator AVWest has placed a firm order for four Bombardier Global 7000 and two Global 8000 aircraft at the Paris Airshow, in a deal worth approximately US$400 million.
Both types of aircraft will join AVWest’s existing corporate jet fleet, which includes the large cabin Bombardier Challenger 604, Global Express XRS, Hawker 800XP and the Gulfstream GIV-SP.
“Our customers’ travel needs increasingly require nonstop access to key destinations around the world. The Global 7000 and Global 8000 jets are the perfect fit, with range capabilities and a level of comfort that is truly amazing and unique to Bombardier’s Global business jet family,” AVWest principal, Tim Roberts said.

Eurocopter acquires Vector Aerospace

EADS subsidiary Eurocopter Holding has announced the acquisition of 98.32 per cent of Candian firm Vector Aerospace Corporation, following a C$625 million takeover bid launched in March this year.

Eurocopter, which had planned to obtain 100 per cent of Vector under a compulsory acquisition, bought a total of 77, 627, 98 common shares at an agreed price of C$13 each.
“We are pleased that Vector Aerospace will now become part of the EADS Group having received all the necessary regulatory approvals and achieved the required shareholder acceptance level. The inclusion of Vector will help EADS achieve its long-term strategic goals of increasing its services activities and exposure to the very important North American aerospace market,” EADS chief strategy & narketing officer, Marwan Lahoud said.

Vector will continue to operate as an independent company.

ATC and Airspace

Temporary radar relocated to Cairns

Airservices Australia will begin the assembly of temporary radar in Cairns early next week, as the air traffic control provider moves ahead with plans to establish a permanent Terminal Area Radar (TAR) by mid 2012.

The temporary radar, which previously serviced both Melbourne and Sydney Airports while their own TAR’s were upgraded, will be set up at Machans Beach, north of Cairns. Airservices intends to conduct vital air traffic surveillance activities with the radar, while Cairns’ existing TAR facility undergoes a $5.5m upgrade at Redden Creek. Once that upgrade is complete, the temporary radar and associated equipment will be removed from the Machans Beach site.

Construction of the temporary radar is set to involve the assembly of an initially 10 metre high radar tower, with “primary and secondary radar heads mounted on top along with a lightning protection pole”, according to Airservices project manager Bruce Arnold. “Other facilities within the Machans Beach compound will include an equipment shelter, a small demountable office and power supply equipment,” he added.

Cairns’ TAR upgrade forms part of a broader $90m nationwide infrastructure modernisation program being carried out by Airservices, and follows site preparation work for the temporary radar facility started at Machans Beach earlier in May.

Airservices to replace en route radars across east coast

Airservices Australia will begin to replace its ageing en route radars across the east coast, following the signing of a $45 million contract with INDRA Australia.

The agreement will see Airservices replace 11 en route radars by 2015, augmenting the satellite based ADS-B network. Several locations across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia have been chosen for Airservices to install the new radars, including Round Mountain (NSW), Hann Tableland (QLD), Mt Bobbara (NSW), Mt Kalamunda (WA), Mt Boyce (NSW), Tabletop Mountain (QLD), Hardgrave (QLD), Mt Alma (QLD), Summertown (SA), Mt Macedon (VIC), and Swampy Ridge (QLD).

“The replacement of these radars is essential to maintain and enhance the level of service and safety assurance we are able to provide to the aviation industry and the travelling public,” Airservices general manager technology and asset services, Alastair Hodgson said.

“The new equipment will offer increased reliability and, through the inclusion of Mode S (select) capability, will deliver greater accuracy,” he added

People

Rex CEO Jim Davis steps down

Regional Express (Rex) has announced the retirement of managing director Jim Davis, who stepped down on July 1.

Rex says Davis won’t be directly replaced, with his responsibilities “largely assumed” by Chris Hine, who took on the role of chief operating officer of Rex on March 1.

Davis, a former chief pilot with Rex predecessor Hazelton Airlines, has been in the role of managing director since May 2008, but will remain on the Rex board as independent director.
Meanwhile boardmember Russell Hodge is also stepping down from the Rex board as an independent director on July 1. Hodge as previously a significant shareholder in now Rex owned subsidiary Pel-Air.

Rex chairman Lim Kim Hai thanked both men for their service to the airline, bringing “more than half a century of aviation experience” to the board.

“Their steady hands were instrumental in guiding the group through some of the worst crisis the aviation world has ever experienced. I wish Russell a happy and well deserved retirement, and look forward to Jim’s ongoing involvement as an independent non-executive director of Rex,” Lim said.

Namblard appointed to Qantas board

Qantas has appointed former Galaxy Fund CEO Corinne Namblard to the company’s board as a non-executive director, bringing 30 years of finance, infrastructure and related industry experience to the airline.

“My fellow directors and I are pleased that Ms Namblard is joining the Qantas board and I believe her appointment will further strengthen the board’s diversity of experience and corporate skill,” Qantas chairman Leigh Clifford said in a statement.Before her tenure as CEO of Luxembourg based Galaxy Fund, Namblard spent 19 years at Banque Nationale de Paris (BNP) where she held numerous roles in foreign exchange, debt and equity capital markets, as well as mergers and acquisitions.

People Briefs

AAC appoints new planning and policy manager

Archerfield Airport Corporation (AAC) has announced the appointment of Alan Cook as Airport Planning and Policy Manager.

Cook, a former RAAF Wing Commander and CASA Regional manager, will be responsible for managing Archerfield Airport’s policy development and compliance and regulatory functions.

Auckland Airport appoints new GM

Auckland Airport has confirmed the appointment of Judy Nicholl to general manager aeronautical operations, a position she has been acting in since April.

Nicholl, a former general manager in Auckland Airport’s human resources department, reports directly to chief executive Simon Moutter in her new role.

Finnair appoints new Australia CSM

Finnair has appointed Geoff Stone as the airline’s new country sales manager Australia, having been in effect from July 18.

An industry veteran, Stone has held senior sales management positions at All Nippon Airways and Malaysia Airlines.