Preflight

The 787-9 fuselage is stretched by 6m, carrying 40 more passengers than the 787-8 an additional 300nm (555km) while using 20 per cent less fuel than similarly sized aircraft, Boeing promises.

The vertical stabiliser on the 787-9 reflects the manufacturer’s new livery, a refreshed look for the Boeing family of aircraft that started with the 747-8 and evolved with the 737 MAX. The prominent number designator on the tail helps distinguish various models within the same product family.

Boeing will build the first three 787-9s on its temporary surge line in Everett to allow for smoother integration of the 787-9 into the production system while continuing to ramp-up 787 production.

First flight of the 787-9 is scheduled for the second half of 2013, with first delivery to launch customer Air New Zealand set for early 2014. Twenty customers have ordered 355 787-9s, accounting for 40 percent of all 787 orders.

While the 787-9 enters final assembly, Singapore Airlines has become the first airline to commit to Boeing’s as yet unlaunched stretch of the 787, the 787-10X, and at the same time has placed a significant reorder for Airbus’s A350-900, committing to 30 of each type.

The Singapore flag carrier says the 787-10X order is contingent on Boeing formally launching the aircraft, but deliveries are expected in the 2018-19 (Singapore) financial year. The 787-10Xs would be used on medium range routes, joining the the 29 787-9s Singapore Airlines already has on order.

“Today’s aircraft orders are among the biggest in Singapore Airlines’ history, helping to ensure that we retain our industry leading position. They demonstrate our commitment to the Singapore hub and our confidence in the future for premium full-service travel,” said Singapore Airlines CEO, Goh Choon Phong.

“These new aircraft will provide opportunities to grow and renew our fleet and enhance our network; benefiting customers by offering more travel options and the latest in-flight cabin products. ” Singapore Airlines said these latest orders take to 126 the number of firm aircraft commitments it holds with Airbus and Boeing.

Today’s aircraft orders are among the biggest in Singapore Airlines’ history.

Triton completes first flight

Potential for up to seven MQ-4Cs to enter RAAF service

Northrop Grumman’s MQ-4C Triton completed its first flight on May 22, taking off from Palmdale, California at 0710 for a 1. 5 hour test flight.

“First flight represents a critical step in maturing Triton’s systems before operationally supporting the Navy’s maritime surveillance mission around the world,” said Capt James Hoke, Triton program manager with Naval Air Systems Command.

“Replacing our ageing surveillance aircraft with a system like Triton will allow us to monitor ocean areas significantly larger with greater persistence. ” Further test-flights will take place from Palmdale before the Triton is flown to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland later this year for continued testing.

Triton, a development of the RQ-4 Global Hawk, is being developed for the US Navy’s Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) program. Northrop Grumman says the Triton can fly surveillance missions up to 24 hours at altitudes of more than 16km, allowing coverage out to 2,000nm, while its sensor suite can detect and automatically classify different types of ships.

The US Navy’s program of record calls for 68 Tritons to be built, while on May 16 the Australian government confirmed its interest in acquiring the Triton by announcing the issuance of a Letter of Request (LoR) seeking further information from the US on the program. Seven Tritons would be acquired under AIR 7000 Phase 1B, partially replacing AP-3C Orions

No Gamble On Jetstar Hong Kong Capitalisation

Jetstar Hong Kong has received backing from one of Asia’s wealthiest property and gambling tycoons, giving the airline greater certainty of approval by authorities to mount Hong Kong’s first low-cost carrier.

Stanley Ho, via his Shun Tak investment company, has taken a 33 per cent stake in Jetstar Hong Kong alongside Qantas and China Eastern, giving hope the airline will now finally receive approval to start flying by the end of the year. The stake is valued at $66 million.

However, start-up may still not be free of impediments, with the territory’s transport bureau undertaking a review of airline licensing and saying it would not grant any new approvals until the review was completed.

With the weight of Ho’s investment, however, Qantas is said to be confident of finally obtaining approval, commenting it is in “positive and ongoing dialogue with the regulator”. Jetstar announced plans for its Hong Kong operation in March 2012.

If approved, Jetstar Hong Kong would operate a fleet of 18 A320s in its first three years of operations. It will now likely compete with a newly-established subsidiary of Hong Kong Airlines – Hong Kong Express – which is converting to a low-cost model for launch in September with five A320s.

Integrated terminals under new Sydney Airport plan

Improved flexibility set to boost capacity in effort to obviate constraints

Sydney Airport’s plan for integrated international and domestic terminals has been included as a key feature of its preliminary draft master plan, which has been released for public consultation.

The airport said its plan for integrated terminals, rather than separate international and domestic terminals as exist today, had received “strong stakeholder support” and would see “swing gates that can accommodate both international and domestic/regional aircraft in each of the terminal precincts”.

“By facilitating Code F international aircraft (such as the A380) operations in the North East Sector as well as the current North West Sector, Sydney Airport will have the ability to substantially increase its capacity to accommodate Code F aircraft well beyond the PDMP (Preliminary Draft Master Plan) planning period.

“Further, the ability to provide swing gates at both of the proposed terminal precincts provides additional opportunities to efficiently increase Sydney Airport’s capacity to handle the growing demand for Code E (such as A330 and 787) aircraft. Where possible, the larger gates will also be configured to accommodate multiple smaller aircraft. ” The airport said: “The passenger experience will be improved through enhancements to ground transport, terminal and passenger processing facilities. In particular those transferring between international and domestic/regional flights will benefit from improved connectivity by the reduction of inter-precinct transfers. ” The plan also includes a new one-way ring road for the T2/T3 precinct by 2018 and a new road and exit for T1.

“Numerous government studies have shown that while we have runway and apron capacity for several decades to come, it is ground access to the airport that is impacting on customers,” Sydney Airport CEO Kerrie Mather said.

“Aviation has changed dramatically over the past decade, with significant advances in aircraft and navigation technology and airlines forming market-changing partnerships to create virtual networks. We’re responding with flexible facilities to meet these changes and provide a superior passenger experience. ” Specifically the PDMP details changes to the terminal infrastructure as:“Reconfiguration of the existing T1 Pier C to facilitate handling of international, domestic and regional passengers; “Development of a new terminal pier by extending T1 to the south west to provide additional capacity and flexibility; “Development of swing international-domestic gates; “Development of gates that can service multiple aircraft types; “Apron reconfiguration to cater for the greater variety of operating aircraft, including implementation of a dual Code C taxiway to increase the handling capacity for domestic and regional aircraft operation,” and; “Improved contact gate capacity across the airport to accommodate the larger international Code F aircraft and increased flexibility to accommodate the up-gauging of domestic aircraft to Code E. ” The document also notes that: “Sydney Airport is planning to develop an Experience Centre that members of the community can visit to find out more about the airport and the aviation industry. Visitors will be taken on an engaging journey behind the scenes of one of the world’s busiest airports. ” Sydney Airport is seeking public feedback on the preliminary draft master plan after which it will submit a draft master plan for government consideration. The PDMP can he downloaded from the Sydney Airport website.

Virgin Australia creates chief commercial officer position

Judith Crompton leads sales charge

Virgin Australia has created the new position of chief commercial officer, promoting group executive of sales Judith Crompton to the role.

Crompton joined Virgin Australia in 2012 from Etihad Airways where she was head of global corporate sales. As well as sales and revenue management her new role sees her have responsibility for alliances and network, previously the responsibilities of Merren McArthur who is now heading Virgin Australian Regional Airlines.

Introducing Crompton to the company, CEO John Borghetti said: “Virgin Australia has made significant progress with our Game Change Program strategy and the creation of the chief commercial officer role is a key part of the next phase of this strategy. ” Key to Crompton’s role will be to streamline and coordinate the airline’s commercial activities around product, pricing, sales and distribution. In January Virgin Australia moved to the Sabre reservations system, giving far greater exposure to international markets, something Crompton will be using to further the successes of the airline’s ‘virtual network’ available through its alliance and equity partners. Virgin Australia has eschewed its earlier point-to-point products to develop a suite of interline and transfer products that are making it a serious contender in the corporate market, domestically and internationally. The combination of international exposure through the new reservations system and its maturing competitive products will be a boon to inbound and outbound tourism.

Corporate and leisure travel will feature equally in Crompton’s agenda, noting that Virgin Australia was largely founded on leisure travellers, while noting the airline’s increasing presence in the corporate market will fuel higher yield.

As well as Etihad, Crompton has also worked at Qantas, TQ3 Navigant and Flight Centre.

Crompton joined Virgin Australia in 2012 from Etihad Airways where she was head of global corporate sales.

Civil Herc for Brisbane

Chapman Freeborn Airchartering has signed a contract with Safair to place and operationally manage an L-382 Hercules in Australia. The Hercules, the only civil rear-loading freighter of its kind in the country, is based in Brisbane on a long-term lease for international and domestic airlift operations. The company’s Michael Grant said: “With the Hercules now based in Australia, we are expecting a rise in cargo charter requests to airports including Karratha, Port Hedland, Moomba, Darwin and Broome, as well as other mining destinations in the north west and south west.” The L-382 can carry up to 20 tonnes.

Boeing forecasts 35,000 aircraft needed during next 20 years

World airliner fleet to double in two decades

Boeing projects demand for more than 35,000 new aircraft over the next 20 years, valued at US$4. 8 trillion. In its annual Current Market Outlook (CMO) Boeing expects the world fleet to double over the next two decades. Both passenger traffic and cargo traffic are expected to grow five percent annually.

“This forecast gives us confidence as we increase our production rates and invest in new products like the 777X and 787-10X,” said Randy Tinseth, vice president of Marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Airlines are demanding more efficiency and that is exactly what we’ll be giving them. ” The single-aisle market, served by Boeing’s Next-Generation 737 and the future 737 MAX, is the main driver of the forecast and continues to show strength. 24,670 new aircraft will be needed in this segment due to the growth of low-cost carriers and airlines from emerging markets.

Widebodies, such as Boeing’s 747-8, 777 and 787 also make up a large part of the forecast. 8,590 new aircraft that will be needed in this segment, fuelled in part by airlines replacing their older fleet with new, more fuel-efficient aircraft.

Qantas bolsters its position in WA

Qantas continues upgrades to product and services

Qantas will make a further investment in Perth Airport over the next 18 months as competition stiffens following the formal launch of Virgin Australia’s regional operations in the state in recent weeks.

The Qantas commitment expands on previously-announced enhancements to its Perth-based operations, with new measures including: Deploying an additional A330 aircraft for flights between Perth and the east coast ensuring all Perth-Sydney and Perth- Melbourne weekday services are operated by A330s – the new service is effective now and is the tenth to operate from Perth; expanding selected flight arrivals and departures from Terminal 4 into Terminal 3 which is now commencing; constructing a new Qantas Club in Terminal 3; deploying larger aircraft on key intra-Western Australia routes to meet demand for corporate customers in the mining and resources sector; and introducing an international standard a la carte menu for business class customers on all flights from the east coast of Australia to Perth.

The additional measures bring to more than $100 million the amount of additional investment in Perth operations during the past four years.

Qantas has started its expansion into Terminal 3 and from late- 2014 Qantas Domestic, Jetstar, QantasLink and some Network Aviation flights will operate from the same precinct. The first flights to operate from Terminal 3 are selected intra-WA and charter services followed by Jetstar services in the coming months. Qantas and QantasLink have increased flights significantly over the past few years, now operating over 280 return flights with 75,000 seats to regional Western Australia each week.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce announced Qantas and QantasLink would deploy larger aircraft to key routes including Learmonth and Karratha as well as additional services to Geraldton, providing two early morning departures to Perth.

“We are growing our intra-WA business this year by about 22 per cent and that is largely because of the resource company contracts we have secured,” he said.

“Our diverse operations and fleet of aircraft mean that we have the flexibility to put on larger aircraft and increase capacity depending on the market conditions and demand from our corporate customers. ” The Qantas Group has more than 30 aircraft operating out of WA including a fleet of A330s, 737s, 717s, Fokker 100s and 767s.

Virgin Australia commits more to WA

First dedicated services between Europe and US markets

The battle for WA has intensified further as Virgin Australia moves to operate all its weekday services between Sydney and Perth with A330s and will increase frequency between Perth and Karratha.

The introduction of a seventh A330 to the airline’s fleet later this year will see these aircraft operate all Perth-Sydney and Perth-Melbourne weekday services and two out of three Perth-Brisbane weekday services from October.

Simultaneously, the airline has announced it will increase direct services between Perth and Karratha as a result of strong demand from the mining and resources industry.

From July 1 three weekly return services will be added between Perth and Karratha. These additional weekday services will be operated by Virgin Australia’s 98-seat Embraer 190 as part of its regional growth strategy, building on the recent acquisition of Skywest Airlines.

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines Group Executive, Merren McArthur said: “Following the recent integration of Skywest Airlines into the Virgin Australia Group, we now have a strong West Australian base and focus which enables us to quickly identify and respond to growth opportunities in the region, particularly in the high-growth fly-in/fly-out markets. We will continue to review market demand and look forward to growing our regional services right across Australia. ” Virgin Australia’s enhanced regional operation currently has 32 aircraft operating over 800 services per week, and is profiled elsewhere this issue.

Air NZ ups Virgin Aus stake

Air New Zealand says it has reached agreement to acquire a further three per cent shareholding in Virgin Australia, which would take its stake in the Australian number two carrier to 22. 99 per cent, and says it will consider acquiring another three per cent “to the extent it is permitted to do so under the Australian Corporations Act”.

“The additional interest affirms Air New Zealand’s strong belief and confidence in Virgin Australia and the strategy it is pursuing under the leadership of John Borghetti and his team,” Air New Zealand said in a June 6 statement.

Air New Zealand notes the purchases are subject to FIRB (Foreign Investment Review Board) and ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) approval, and that the ACCC has advised it that it intends to conduct public enquiries on the planned increased holdings in Virgin Australia.

The New Zealand carrier says it “is not seeking a position on the board of Virgin Australia” and “nor does it have the intention of obtaining control of Virgin Australia”.

Tiger takeover to finalise mid- July. . .

Virgin Australia says finalisation of its acquisition of the 60 per cent stake in Tiger Airways Australia should be complete by mid-July, following approval of the deal by the Foreign Investment Review Board. “This confirmation satisfies another condition for the proposed acquisition of Tiger Australia, which will enable Virgin Australia to access the budget market segment and expedite the growth of Tiger Australia,” Virgin Australia said in a statement. The airline said the deal still remains subject to “certain conditions”

. . . while performance improves, but losses continue

Tiger Airways Australia recorded a 10. 8 per cent improvement in operating results during 2012/13, but still recorded an overall loss of S$69 million (A$58m). The carrier’s revenue rose 60. 4 per cent to S$247 million (A$208m) on a 57 per cent increase in passenger traffic. However, a rise in costs by some 37 per cent largely obviated the improved revenues. Bringing Tiger to profit will be Virgin Australia’s priority when it takes majority ownership as it positions the low-cost airline against Jetstar.

Virgin expands codeshares with Etihad and Singapore Airlines

Virgin Australia has added Amsterdam to its codeshare agreement with Etihad, Rome with Singapore Airlines and Milan with both airlines. Codeshare flights between Abu Dhabi and Milan and between Abu Dhabi and Amsterdam will both be operated by an A330-200 seven times a week. Codeshare flights with Singapore Airlines will be operated by a 777-200ER between Singapore and Rome three times a week and a 777-200ER between Singapore and Milan five times a week. The announcement follows recent regulatory approvals being granted allowing Virgin Australia to codeshare on flights into Italy and the Netherlands.

Blue Mountains flies into history

More than 70 aircraft took part in the largest civilian flyover in Australian history and the first ever over the Blue Mountains on May 25. Thousands flocked to witness the 75 aircraft fly overhead to mark the bicentenary of the first recognised European crossing of the Blue Mountains by Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth in 1813. The two-and-a-half-hour aerial spectacle included the RAAF Roulettes, a C-130J Hercules, Beavers, a team of Yaks and Gyrocopters. The event was a highlight of this year’s Blue Mountains Crossings Bicentenary 2013- 2015 program. brad bridger

December 2016 IOC for F-35A

US sets target for operational capability

The US Air Force has set a December 2016 target date to declare initial operating capability (IOC) with the F-35A, the variant of the JSF being acquired by Australia.

IOC for the F-35A will mean one operational squadron of 12 or more F-35As will be capable of conducting “basic close air support, interdiction, and limited suppression and destruction of enemy air defense operations in a contested environment”, according to a USAF statement. A more complete mission set, plus a full weapons suite, will await the deployment of the production standard Block 3F software package, due in late 2017.

“The Air Force has spent the last six months looking at our initial capability requirements and the expected availability date. This announcement is exciting news for the Air Force,” Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley said on May 31. “It highlights to members of Congress, our international partners, and the American public that the program is on track to bring the United States military and our allies this critical capability. ” The USAF will be the second US service to declare IOC for the F-35, following the US Marine Corps’ planned December 2015 IOC for a squadron of 12 F-35Bs. The US Navy, meanwhile, will wait until February 2019 before declaring IOC for the F-35C.

All three services had to notify Congress of their IOC plans for the F-35 by June 1.

In acknowledging the F-35 dates, prime contractor Lockheed Martin said in a statement: “We appreciate the confidence in the F-35 program expressed by the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy with the announcement of their initial operating capability (IOC) . . .

“Our top priority is to continue to execute our plan to support these IOC dates starting with the Marine Corps in December 2015. Lockheed Martin is committed to cost effectively delivering the F-35’s unprecedented 5th generation capabilities to the warfighter. ”

A400M and C295W to be pitched to New Zealand

Airbus Military begins campaign for international sales

The eventual retirement of the RNZAF’s C-130Hs will see Airbus Military pitch the A400M airlifter and the newly-launched winglet-equipped, higher-performance C295W to New Zealand.

Airbus Military said while it views New Zealand as a longer-term proposition, it is confident the two aircraft could fill the gap to be left by the ultimate retirement of the RNZAF’s C-130Hs and indeed enhance the nation’s airlift capabilities. Airbus Military was upbeat about the potential its new products could offer, and will embark on initial discussions within an undisclosed period, believed to be in the nearer-term to seed the products as potential candidates.

Airbus Military’s advance campaigning comes as it readies to launch the A400M into service in the coming weeks. The manufacturer’s head of programs, Rafael Tentor, who was A400M project head, said it had been “a long and winding road” to get to this point of delivery, but the A400M was “now the right aircraft at the right time”.

Safeskies returns in October

People and Technology theme for leading aviation safety conference

The 2013 Safeskies conference is to be held at the Hotel Realm, Canberra on October 16 and 17, with the theme ‘People and Technology’.

Safeskies chairman David Forsyth said this year the conference was fortunate to have Raymond Benjamin, the highly respected Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) delivering the Sir Reginald Ansett Memorial lecture, to be held at Parliament House the night before the conference.

“It is rare for the head of ICAO to visit Australia and the opportunity for Australian aviation people to meet and hear such a senior global figure is rarer still,” Forsyth said.

He explained Benjamin had brought focus and direction to make ICAO more prominent and effective in its leadership role as the global policy-setting forum for international civil aviation.

Other international keynote speakers include: Captain Mike Carriker, Boeing chief test pilot and former Navy pilot who has logged more than 8,000 flight hours in more than 130 aircraft.

Bob Watson, who has headed several overseas maintenance organisations will talk about culture effects on maintenance safety and the safety benefits possible by outsourcing.

Tim Coombs from Aviation Economics will discuss why safety makes good economic sense, and paint a picture of the current economic state of the airline industry.

Captain Bob Sheffield will discuss the International Helicopter Safety Team’s work.

Professor Graham Braithwaite from UK’s Cranfield University will talk about adapting to hard-learnt lessons in safety.

Peter Jorna, president of the European Association for Aviation Psychology, will discuss the latest research developments into the man-machine interface.

Alain Gildeau, formerly from the French accident investigation bureau (BEA), will discuss the latest findings from the investigation of the Air France A330 accident over the Atlantic Ocean in 2009.

A number of local speakers from across the industry spectrum include: Michael von Reth, cabin manger on the Qantas A380 that suffered catastrophic engine failure, talking about keeping the passenger cabin under control in an emergency.

Captain Richard Woodward, a highly experienced Qantas pilot and Ausalpa representative will discuss technology challenges for airline pilots.

Shane Connolly, Assistant Commissioner of the Federal Police, will discuss security and safety issues.

Qantas completes 767 cabin refresh

Brings soon-to-retire aircraft into line with contemporary inflight offering

Qantas completes 767 cabin refresh Brings soon-to-retire aircraft into line with contemporary inflight offering Qantas has announced it has completed its $20 million cabin refurbishment for 15 of its 20-strong Boeing 767-300ER fleet.

Features of the upgrade include a new inflight entertainment system based around streaming content to iPads available to every passenger, leather seats in business class and new carpet, lighting, curtains and cabin dividers.

Over 200 hours of content can be streamed to the iPads, with Qantas saying it plans to increase the available content further to 350 hours by the end of the year, which would comprise 20 movies, 350 TV programs and “a wide selection” of music.

Five non-upgraded 767s are due to be retired from the Qantas fleet by the end of year. The remainder of the 767 fleet will be progressively retired through to mid-2015 as Jetstar’s current A330-200 fleet is transferred to Qantas as Jetstar takes delivery of its 14 787-8s. The first Jetstar A330 returned to the Qantas fleet in May, taking the Qantas fleet of the type to 20.

E-Jets tally up 10 million flight hours

In the nine years since their launch, the worldwide fleet of Embraer E-Jets has achieved 10 million flight hours and the completion of seven million flight cycles. With more than 1,200 firm orders and nearly 1,000 jets delivered to more than 60 airline companies in 43 countries on five continents, E-Jets have carried around 460 million passengers.

Avalon airshow 2015 dates announced

Organisers of the 2015 Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition have announced the trade exposition and public airshow will be held from February 24 to March 1 at Avalon Airport. The 2015 event will commemorate the ANZAC Centenary.

Qatar Airways and CTC begin recruiting for Australian pilots

Qatar Airways has contracted CTC Aviation to select and train pilots through a new Multi-crew Pilot Licence (MPL) training program open to international applicants.

Qatar Wings will provide an opportunity for six trainees to begin their initial flight training with CTC every two months for the foreseeable future. Courses will originate at CTC’s training centres in Hamilton, New Zealand and Southampton, UK, with all initial flight training taking place at Hamilton. Cadet pilots will then go on to complete their basic and intermediate training on CTC’s Airbus flight simulators in Southampton. The airline will deliver the final stages of training and line operating experience at its home base in Qatar.

Budget reveals RAAF Orion retirement

The Australian Defence budget for 2013-14 released on May 8 reveals that a single RAAF P-3C Orion has been retired, with the operational fleet now at 18 aircraft.

“One AP-3C has been retired”, a footnote to the ‘Air Force Deliverables (Flying Hours)’ table notes.

Subsquently, a defence spokesperson told AA, “Air Force upgraded 18 of its 19 P-3C Orions to AP-3C Orion, to upgrade the aircraft’s sensors and systems and extend the operational life of the fleet.

“The 19th aircraft remained in its P-3C configuration and has been supporting testing of systems and tactics to inform ongoing AIR 5276 and AIR 7000 capability requirements. While the aircraft ceased flying last year, it remains part of the RAAF fleet, and will be disposed of in the 2013-14 financial year. The exact timing and disposal method is still to be determined. ”

US reaps US$4. 5 billion in F-35 savings

The US Pentagon has reported it expects a US$4. 5 billion saving in the cost of acquiring its planned fleet of 2,443 F-35s, equating to a one per cent drop from the earlier projected US$395. 7 billion to US$391. 2 billion.

Lockheed Martin said it would continue to work with defence officials to drive the cost of the F-35 program down further, while labour rates and software issues remain the issues of greatest risk.

“This is the first year a cost reduction was noted. We will work with the F-35 Joint Program Office to implement further cost saving measures which will result in additional significant decreases to the total program cost,” Lockheed Martin spokesman Michael Rein told Reuters.

The Pentagon said the average cost of the conventional F-35A model, excluding R&D costs, had dropped to US$76. 8 million per aircraft from the earlier projected cost of $78. 7 million.

Partner nations to the F-35 program including Australia will also benefit from flow-on cost improvements.

F-35A’s first inflight missile launch

An F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft has completed the first in-flight missile launch of an AIM-120 C5 AAVI (AMRAAM Air Vehicle Instrumented). The aircraft – AF-1 – launched the missile from its internal weapons bay.

This is the first launch where the F-35 and AIM-120 demonstrated a successful launch-to-eject communications sequence and fired the rocket motor after launch – paving the way for targeted launches later this year in support of Block 2B fleet capability.

Pilatus launches PC-24 twin-jet

Pilatus has entered the business jet age, unveiling the PC-24 twin-jet at the European Business Aviation Conference and Exposition (EBACE) in Geneva.

Work on the prototype is underway, with rollout scheduled for the third quarter of 2014 followed by maiden flight towards the end of that year.

Pilatus says the PC-24 will be the first business jet worldwide with the ability to use very short runways, paved or unpaved, and have a cargo door as standard.

The cabin interior will be available in a choice of different configurations ranging from an executive layout with six to eight passenger seats to a commuter setup with room for up to 10 passengers, or combi versions with space for passengers and cargo, through to special installations for emergency medical flights.

The PC-24, powered by two Williams FJ44-4A turbines, will reach a maximum speed of 425kt. The maximum range with four passengers is expected to be 1,950nm.

Williams Foundation launches UAV study

With the rising proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and Australia set to order the Triton, The Williams Foundation is conducting a timely enquiry into the topic: ‘Protecting Australia with Drones: Cheaper? Better? Smarter? Safer?’ The enquiry will canvass the broad scope of issues surrounding the deployment of UAVs in civil and military use in the Australian environment.

“There are indications that economic and technological imperatives are driving the use of drones at a pace that’s making it difficult for the legal and ethical dimensions, for example, to keep up,” The Foundation’s Dr Alan Stephens, said.

“Presently there’s little debate in Australia. We hope to generate a robust public exchange. Our report will comment on all of those aspects and will make recommendations where appropriate. ” The report and recommendations will be published in October. See www. dronepower. org. au.

KC-30A boom back on track

Fixes lead towards 2014 boom initial operating capability

Airbus Military is confident its work with the RAAF will lead to initial operating capability (IOC) of the KC-30A’s refuelling boom in the first half of 2014, adding that final operating capability (FOC) for probe and drogue refuelling is also expected in the new year.

Senior representatives from Airbus Military were in Australia recently to discuss progress on the boom and other issues that emerged in the early stages of the aircraft’s introduction to service over the last two years. Airbus Military head of programs Rafael Tentor told Australian Aviation in Seville he was confident both the manufacturer and the RAAF had reached consensus over the remedies that have variously included physical modifications, changes to operating procedures based around human-machine interfaces and improvements to onboard systems.

Tentor said, according to the recent discussions, final acceptance of all the remedies should be achieved by September this year, with IOC of the boom coinciding with FOC of the refuelling pods and drogues.

Two RAAF KC-30As are currently in Madrid for crew training following modifications as a result of the cooperative efforts between the RAAF and Airbus Military, Tentor added, as well as training after planned upgrades that contain flight control loss refinements for boom operations. The RAAF detachment in Madrid will help test and certify the upgrades as well as modifications made in the course of the rectification of the boom systems.

Airbus Military also said that wingtip flutter that was experienced once during a refuelling exercise between the KC-30A and F/A-18s was the result of turbulence and was a unique event. It further said minor oscillations in the wingtip from airflow around the refuelling pods had been remedied.

“We are all learning from operational experience,” said Airbus MRTT program head Antonio Caramazana. “We are having feedback from the customers and we are improving the performance and features in order to provide enhanced operational capability. The feedback we are receiving is really very positive,” Caramazana added.

Considerable testing has been undertaken by Airbus Military using drogues and booms with a wide variety of aircraft from customer and Spanish defence forces.

“We are exercising the air-to-air refuelling of the MRTT with a variety of platforms in order to give us more information to improve the system.

Caramazana outlined the challenges with the boom on the first RAAF aircraft, which has remained in Madrid to flight-test and certify progressive modifications on the systems.

“The second boom detachment was due to an additional customer feature – a third system on top of the two already fitted – when there was a human error in which the normal mode was not disabled at the same time the additional system was enabled to hoist the boom back up,” he explained.

“We have finished the upgrade of the boom and we have made the HMI [human-machine interface] features and capabilities of the system more robust,” Caramazana said, confirming progress towards IOC for the boom was proceeding well.

During its annual briefing Airbus Military said it had achieved no further sales of the MRTT in 2012 on top of the 16 currently in service worldwide, but that it anticipated more in the coming months as Australia, UAE and Saudi Arabia mature their operation of the aircraft and the UK and India take delivery. It currently sees potential for 90 sales of the MRTT.

The manufacturer said it considered Australia as a potential candidate for more KC-30As in the coming years. In addition to additional tanker and transport capacity, as the current RAAF BBJ contract comes up for renewal, Airbus Military sees the potential for the KC-30A to act in the VIP transport role. Airbus Military signalled the flexibility offered by the MRTT-base design allowing the aircraft’s layout to be changed easily between VIP and other modes, meaning the aircraft would not necessarily need to be permanently configured for VIP use.

Bombardier launches Challenger 350

Bombardier has launched an improved development of its Challenger 300 supermidsize corporate jet, the Challenger 350, which will feature more powerful 7,323lb thrust Honeywell HTF7350 engines, advanced avionics and a new cabin interior.

Announced at the EBACE business aviation show in Geneva on May 20, deliveries of the new US$25. 8 million jet will begin in 2014, with fractional ownership company NetJets to be the aircraft’s “worldwide launch partner”.

As well as the new engines, the Challenger 650 will feature canted winglets, a new cabin interior including larger cabin windows and Lufthansa Technik’s HD cabin management system, and a Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 Advanced avionics system featuring synthetic vision.

Planned performance includes a range with eight passengers of 3,200nm (5,926km) and direct climb to 43,000ft.

MyJet calls Bendigo home

Charter specialist MyJet has officially opened its new $1. 5 million headquarters and fixed base operation in Bendigo, relocating from its former facilities at Essendon.

The purpose-built facility – the largest private investment in Bendigo Airport in more than 40 years – can house up to five aircraft including three turboprop or jet aircraft. It also includes a new passenger lounge and administration offices.

The development, which is seen as a significant boost to the airport and the region, comes on the back of a $5 million investment by the Victorian government to upgrade the runway at Bendigo via the Regional Aviation Fund.

Turbo Skylane flies

Cessna has flown the first production-configured Turbo Skylane 182 JT‑A. The aircraft is the first modern single-engine aircraft powered by a piston engine specifically designed to run on Jet‑A fuel. The Safran-made 227hp (170kW) SMA engine uses 42 litres per hour of the typically lowercost Jet‑A fuel at the estimated maximum cruise speed of 156kt.

The engine is expected to burn approximately 30 to 40 per cent less fuel than comparable avgas engines.