Preflight

Weight on wheels

First F-35A for the RAAF is standing on its on wheels for the first time

The first F-35A for the RAAF is standing on its on wheels for the first time, a significant milestone for the jet as it moves down the production line of Lockheed Martin’s mile-long assembly plant in Fort Texas, Texas.

We did start that evaluation but we’ve decided to put it on hold for the moment. john borghetti on virgin fleet plans P7

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The first aircraft, dubbed AU-1 by Lockheed Martin and the future A35-001 with the RAAF, was lifted by an overhead crane from an EMAS – electronic mate and alignment systems – station where its forward and rear fuselage sections were joined to the wingcentre fuselage assembly, to final assembly, where its control surfaces are added and final systems and engine are installed.

AU-1 is due to roll out of the factory in July next year and, alongside sistership AU-2, initially will be based at Luke AFB, Arizona as part of the US Air Force’s F-35 training system being established there.

The December 13 craning of AU-1 from its EMAS station to final assembly was witnessed by a small group of Lockheed Martin and Defence officials, including Air Commodore Cath Roberts, Director General New Air CombatCapability, and Jeff Babione, Lockheed Martin’s vice president and deputy program manager of the F-35 program.

Air Commodore Roberts was already in Fort Worth for other F-35 business that happened to coincide with the “weight on wheels” milestone.

100 and counting

Lockheed Martin celebrates 100th F-35 as RAAF prepares for first delivery in 2014

Lockheed Martin has held a ceremony at its Fort Worth plant on December 13 to mark the completion of production of the 100th F-35 Lightning.

The milestone aircraft, F-35A AF-41, was shown off to around 2,000 guests and Lockheed Martin staff at the end of a ceremony designed to highlight the program’s growing momentum.

“The 100th F-35 symbolises the maturation of the F-35 program by the collective government and industry partner team as we prepare to ramp up production,” said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin F-35 program general manager. “This is a proud day for the entire F-35 community. ” The milestone 100th aircraft was also significant in being the first aircraft due to be delivered to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Luke will be the US Air Force’s main F-35 pilot training base, while a number of international F-35 customers will train their F-35 pilots at Luke, including, initially, Australia.

Of the 100 F-35s built to date 44 are F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) jets, 42 are F-35B STOVL variants, and 14 are F-35C carrier (CV) variants. Of those 88 are

It [F-35] is turning into a normal development program

flying, and three have been delivered to the UK and two to the Netherlands. A further 90 are in various stages of construction, including the first two aircraft for Australia, designated AU-1 and AU-2.

AU-1 is now standing on its own wheels for the first time after moving from its EMAS station where its major assemblies – fuselage, nose and wings – were joined.

AU-1 is due to roll out of the Fort Worth factory in July and will be delivered to Luke Air Force Base in 2015 to join the pool of aircraft which will be used for pilot training there.

Although Australia has only signed contracts for its first two F-35As, assuming the federal government continues with acquisition of the 12 jets approved by the previous federal government and also commits to further aircraft, the RAAF is working towards a 2020 IOC (initial operating capability) for the aircraft.

In the meantime, Lockeed Martin is happy with the progress the aircraft’s development is making (as evidenced by holding a ceremony for the 100th aircraft on a Friday the 13th!).

“It’s turning into a normal development program,” Steve O’Bryan, vice president, Lockheed Martin F-35 program integration and business development told Australian journalists. “If I could give you a wrap up it is that it is turning into a normal development program. And what I mean by a normal development program is that we have normal development issues. I would say on normal development programs as time goes on the severity and number of those risks and challenges is getting less and less. ” Retiring that risk is the continuation of the F-35 flight test program, which is now about half complete.

“We’re hitting the edges of the envelope [in flight testing],” said O’Bryan. “Things are tracking well but we’re not declaring victory, we still have work to do. ” As for cost, Lockheed Martin is hopeful of achieving an aircraft unit cost of US$75 million with LRIP (Low Rate Initial Production) batch 10 deliveries from 2018 or so.

Qantas A330 cabin refit for Brisbane

Qantas will upgrade the cabin interiors of 30 Airbus A330s at its Brisbane heavy maintenance base, CEO Alan Joyce has announced.

Joyce, in Brisbane on November 27 to open a $30 million hangar upgrade, said the A330 interior refit program will run from late 2014 through to mid-2016.

“From late 2014, we will be upgrading all 30 of our Airbus A330s with business suites with fully flat beds. Ten A330-300s for Qantas International will feature new economy seats and 20 A330‑200s for Qantas Domestic will see their economy seats refurbished,” he said.

“It will take around 30 days for each aircraft to get upgraded and we expect the program to be completed in mid-2016. ” The hangar upgrade, meanwhile, was undertaken to facilitate Qantas 737 heavy maintenance, which has been moved from Tullamarine to Brisbane.

Said Joyce: “The $30 million upgrade to the Brisbane facilities includes the installation of advanced equipment to enable Qantas’s fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft to undergo heavy maintenance in the facility. ” Joyce also announced that Qantas is recruiting 30 new engineering apprentices, over 20 of whom will be based in Brisbane with a smaller number in Sydney.

The expansion of its Brisbane base has come as Qantas has rationalised its heavy maintenance facilities from three sites to one, with the closure of the 737 maintenance base at Melbourne-Tullamarine in August 2012 and the impending closure of the Avalon 747 heavy maintenance facility in March, confirmed in December. Today Qantas performs heavy maintenance on more than 110 Boeing 737s, 767s and A330s at Brisbane, while A380 heavy maintenance is outsourced offshore, as is expected to be the case with 747 maintenance once Avalon closes.

Qantas to codeshare with China Southern, more cooperation to come?

Qantas links up with China’s largest airline as part of its evolving Asia strategy

Qantas has significantly bolstered its reach into the burgeoning China market with the signing of a codesharing agreement with that country’s largest and fastest growing airline, China Southern, with whom it has also flagged further cooperation.

The deal will see Qantas codeshare on China Southern flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth to Guangzhou, and from Guangzhou on connecting flights to Xiamen, Kunming, Fuzhou and Urumqi. In turn China Southern will codeshare on 10 Qantas domestic and New Zealand services. The deal is subject to regulatory approval, but would see codesharing commence in “early” 2014.

Qantas already has a codesharing arragement with Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines (which is also partnering with Qantas in its Jetstar Hong Kong operation).

“Partnering is key to our strategy in Asia and we’re very pleased to now have China Southern as one of our codeshare partners in the world’s fastest growing aviation market,” Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said in announcing the codeshare deal in Guangzhou on December 2.

Further, Qantas says that the “two airlines have also agreed to investigate other areas of potential cooperation, including pilot training assistance from Qantas and cargo opportunities. ” “The signing of this agreement between China Southern and Qantas Airways blazes a new and exciting trail for our two companies,” said China Southern Airlines chairman Si Xianmin.

“We welcome this move because it will give our passengers greater access to Australia and will also open up Australian tourism to a leisure and business market that is growing by nearly 20 per cent a year. ” China Southern is majority owned by the Chinese government. It began operating the A380 on its daily Sydney-Guangzhou services in late October.

Tigerair expands

New A320s and a Brisbane base offer first taste of strategy under Virgin

Now Virgin Australia-controlled Tigerair Australia has announced significant expansion plans with the creation of a new operating base in Brisbane, the acquisition of two new A320s and the launch of four new routes.

The two A320s will be based at the operating hub in Brisbane, which is due to become operational in early April, allowing the airline to launch services from Brisbane to Adelaide, Cairns and Darwin. New Adelaide-Sydney flights have also been announced.

Tigerair Australia CEO Rob Sharp said budget travel options at Brisbane had lagged behind other major airports, accounting for only 19 per cent of Brisbane’s overall airport capacity against 33 per cent and 26 per cent respectively for Melbourne and Sydney.

Sharp said that once the new base is operational Queensland will account for 59 per cent of Tigerair flight capacity.

Tigerair has also announced the introduction of automated bag drop facilities at Brisbane Airport, technology it says it is “committed” to rolling out across its network.

RAAF airshow to commemorate Centenary of Military Aviation

To celebrate the centenary of military aviation in Australia, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Darren Chester and Deputy Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Leo Davies have launched the Centenary of Military Aviation Airshow to be held at Point Cook, RAAF Williams, near Melbourne on March 1-2.

“The first of March 2014 will be the 100th anniversary of the first military flight in Australia when Lieutenant Eric Harrison, originally from Castlemaine and an aviation instructor with the Central Flying School, took off in a Bristol Boxkite here at the spiritual home of the Air Force, Point Cook,” Chester said.

The airshow will see the official unveiling of a newly-built replica of a Bristol Boxkite aeroplane, the type which made the first flight of a military aircraft in Australia. The replica was built by the RAAF Museum at Point Cook and has completed its flight testing after a successful first flight on September 11 this year.

The airshow will also see flying displays and static exhibits of historic and contemporary military aircraft.

“We have chosen the theme of Tradition, Innovation and Evolution for the event to reinforce the extraordinary journey of military aviation from hand-built aircraft like the Boxkite to the complex and powerful military aircraft of today,” Air Vice-Marshal Davies said.

Tickets and more details about the airshow are available at: www. airforce. gov. au/airshows.

CASA delays pilot licensing changes

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has bowed to pressure from industry, delaying the implementation of new licensing regulations from the earlier-proposed December 4 this year to September 1 2014.

In a statement announcing the timetable change, CASA said: “The primary reason for the changes is the need to give the aviation industry more time to prepare for the commencement of the new regulations.

“Despite CASA’s education and information campaign on the new licensing regulations many pilots and people working in flying training are only starting to understand the new rules. ” The planned changes affect Parts 61, 64, 141 and 142 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations.

“While the new regulations do not make major changes to existing practices it is clear more time for education and information communication is required,” CASA said.

As a result of feedback from industry during the consultation process, CASA proposed amendments to clarify the intent of the regulations, correct any anomalies and make improvements which will benefit the aviation industry.

“Due to issues beyond CASA’s control it has not been possible to make these amendments before 4 December 2013,” the authority said.

“Taking all these factors into account CASA has decided to change the commencement date of the licensing suite to 1 September 2014. ”

Jetstar swaps Darwin hub for Adelaide

Top End’s loss is Adelaide’s gain in rare good news for Adelaide as Avalon also earns reprieve

Jetstar has announced plans to increase its focus on South Australia at the expense of operations in the Northern Territory, while services to Avalon will continue after securing financial support from the Victorian government.

Jetstar intends to base four A320s in Adelaide from the end of March, and will establish a new cabin crew and pilot base in the city for which it is seeking to recruit 40 pilots, 70 cabin crew and a dozen ground staff.

Three of the four aircraft that will be based at Adelaide are set to be relocated from Darwin, with another A320 coming from Melbourne.

“This month, Jetstar will begin direct services from Adelaide to Auckland and nonstop flights from Adelaide to Bali,” Jetstar Australia and New Zealand chief executive officer David Hall said in December.

“Basing four aircraft at Adelaide will allow us to expand our schedule and add one extra daily flight between Melbourne and Adelaide and Sydney and Adelaide respectively. Our presence in Adelaide has more than doubled in the past four years and we believe the establishment of a dedicated crew base will provide a solid foundation to continue to grow low fares from the capital of South Australia. ” Changes to Jetstar operations in the Northern Territory will mean an overall reduction in the number of weekly departures out of Darwin from 54 to 49.

“The decision to relocate flying is in response to increased capacity and competition, particularly on international routes from foreign carriers,” Jetstar said in a separate statement.

“Jetstar has been clear in the past that our flying from Darwin is among the most marginal on the network.

These changes will ensure we maintain the highest productivity of our aircraft and reflect our strategy to deploy aircraft on routes to meet market demand. ” Separately, the Victorian government has pieced together a deal between Jetstar and Avalon Airport that will see the airline stay on until at least April 2015.

Jetstar had announced that it was considering dropping Avalon due to services being unprofitable.

Local and state media reported that the government is understood to be contributing the majority of funding for the $11 million rescue package, around $5. 5 million, while Jetstar and Avalon airport owner Linfox will each contribute $2. 75 million.

Jetstar confirmed it plans to continue operating domestic services to and from Avalon airport after reaching an inprinciple agreement with the Victorian government and the airport’s operators.

Jetstar Group chief executive officer Jayne Hrdlicka said the airline had worked with the Victorian government and Avalon Airport to reach an agreement that was to be finalised in mid-December to maintain Avalon services.

“Victoria is the home of Jetstar. Our head office is in Melbourne and we employ more than 1,500 people throughout the state. Avalon has been a part of the Jetstar story since our beginning,” Hrdlicka said.

“We are committed to working with key stakeholders throughout 2014 to find ways to improve the performance of our services and support tourism to the region.

“The extension of services until April 2015 provides an opportunity for the community and its leaders to get behind Jetstar’s operations at Avalon Airport. We are hopeful that Jetstar working in partnership with the community and the Airport team will help Avalon find a sustainable future. ”

ON DUTY Heron’s Afghan mission extended

The government has extended the Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) deployment in Afghanistan until July 2014.

Heron has been operating in Afghanistan since January 2010 from Kandahar Air Field, providing Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) support to the ADF in Uruzgan province and southern Afghanistan, and was expected to return to Australia at the completion of combat operations at the end of 2013.

The Heron detachment will now shift focus to support coalition operations in Regional Command South during the final period of security transition to Afghan National Security Forces and the Afghan elections scheduled for April 5.

“The decision to extend the Heron RPA and its associated systems reflects Australia’s ongoing commitment to Afghanistan and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) through 2014.

It is in line with the previously announced training and specialist contributions the ADF and the Australian Government will make in Afghanistan as our mission moves from Uruzgan to the wider Afghan nation,” Minister for Defence, Senator David Johnston said.

Virgin Australia halts widebody considerations as Etihad fleet proposition weighs in

Could Virgin take advantage of recent mega Etihad orders for widebodies?

Virgin Australia has suspended consideration of its future widebody fleet requirements because, as CEO John Borghetti said at the company’s annual general meeting on November 20: “We have lots of things that we are working on and frankly there’s no urgency in it. ” Borghetti has never placed the fleet replacement strategy at the top of the agenda. During the announcement of the airline’s “disappointing” annual results earlier this year, the CEO signaled fleet considerations were ongoing, but that it would be progressed at a measured pace. And certainly it has been progressing at a leisurely pace.

“I said that we were going to start an evaluation of the fleet requirements beyond 2017-18, and that the evaluation was starting. We did start that evaluation but we’ve decided to put it on hold for the moment. We want to make sure that our decision is the right decision and we don’t need to rush into it,” Borghetti said recently.

Some of the lack of urgency comes from the fact the consideration really only affects the five 777-300ERs the airline has in its fleet.

As Borghetti said: “If you look at the leasing of our current aircraft – and don’t forget this is all around widebody (aircraft) because as you know we placed an order for the 737 MAX, so if you look at our widebody fleet leases, (those) existing aircraft take us well and truly into the latter end of this decade, and in fact some go beyond. So there’s no real rush – so some time in the next six to 12 months we’ll make a call, but we want to take our time, make sure it’s right, and decide at the time. ” There is flexibility with its A330s as well. The airline currently has seven in operation and two more are scheduled for delivery this year.

“The 330 is obviously in a different position because they’re relatively new, meaning we’ve had them for two years – but we’ve got a different type of flexibility with the 330s,” Borghetti said.

“The flexibility we’ve got with those is that we can deploy them internationally as well as domestically, so if for whatever reason we find the market’s soft in one area or strong in another or there’s a better use for the aircraft, we can use them from domestic to international if we so wish. There’s no plan to do that because we’re very comfortable with the plan, but I suppose I’m just raising it to prove that we have flexibility with that aircraft as well, it’s not just the 737s. ” The 737s will remain the staple of Virgins’s fleet, both domestically and regionally, and is an airframe that Borghetti is entirely comfortable with for the flexibility they offer in the tuning of capacity to demand.

“We’ve got aircraft that are on leases that we can either retire, send back or move forward. One of the good things of course about our fleet is that we are predominantly narrowbody. Also we’ve got some aircraft that are getting to an age where we’re about to come to a decision on whether we terminate the lease or not terminate the lease. So we’ve got – from a 737 fleet perspective – incredibly good flexibility. ” But there can be no doubt the Etihad declaration that some of the up to 200 aircraft ordered inits recent buying spree could be allocated to airlines in which it has an equity, represents an interesting dimension for Borghetti to at least consider.

“(The order) provides the unique opportunity to redirect new aircraft orders from Etihad Airways to members of its equity alliance, airlines in key markets around the world in which it holds minority shareholdings,” the airline’s CEO James Hogan said. “This will enable capacity to be assigned where and when it is most needed, while improving fleet commonality and sharing significant cost synergies.

“The revenue benefits of our equity alliance, to all the members, have always been clear. What has been less obvious is the opportunity for business synergies which can improve the operating costs of all the partners. The flexibility of this deal,and the economies of scale it offers, means all our strategic partners will have the chance to benefit from it,” said Hogan of the possibilities.

And the potential arising from the pooling of aircraft, spares, engineering – even crew – within Etihad’s broadening equity group is profound.

Virgin is known to be studying A350, 787 and 777X – all types that have been ordered by Etihad in large numbers. The pooling of resources within the group certainly warrants careful consideration for the cost benefits it could bring.

But on the possibilities of Virgin falling within the scope of a broad equity partner aircraft pool, Borghetti was dismissively oblique.

“I’m not aware of the contents of this contract. Obviously that’s confidential between Etihad and an aircraft manufacturer, so I don’t have access to that so I can’t comment on it. ”The question was not about the deal between Etihad and aircraft manufacturers, but about deliberations the CEOs of Etihad and Virgin Australia could sensibly make on such a prospect.

In fairness, however, much of Borghetti’s obliqueness was understandable given Qantas’s tempestuous responses to VA’s high-tempo capital-raising efforts.

No-one at the Virgin Australia annual general meeting dared raise the possibility of seeing Etihad-branded aircraft operating in Australia, as has become the case in Europe following Etihad’s rebranding of new Swiss regional carrier Darwin as an equity partner.

Right now, that might have been a little too far to go. But the question will certainly be raised, if just to add a little more speculative kerosene to the foreign equity firestorm.

Jetstar introduces Melbourne-Tokyo, cuts GC-Osaka

Jetstar has opted to cease the unprofitable Gold Coast-Osaka route to enable a new non-stop service between Melbourne and Tokyo (Narita). The Gold Coast-Osaka route, which operates three times weekly, will cease on May 8.

The new Melbourne-Tokyoservices will commence on April 29 and will operate four times weekly using two-class Airbus A330-200s. Schedule details have yet to be announced.

“We know this is one of the largest unserved international markets in Australia and our bookings show that many Victorian customers aretravelling to Tokyo via other ports in the network,” Jetstar Australia and New Zealand chief executive officer David Hall said.

Jetstar says the new route would also allow for “convenient connections” onto the Jetstar Japan network.

“Jetstar Japan launched operations in Japan in May 2012 and is now the largest domestic carrier operating out of Narita Airport, offering flights to nine other cities across the country.

“Victorian travellers can look forward to convenient connections to great destinations such as Osaka, Fukuoka and Sapporo on the Jetstar Japan network.

It will be the first time an airline has operated direct Melbourne-Tokyo services since 2008.

Brindabella suspends services, calls in receivers

Second CASA grounding due to incomplete maintenance sends key regional airline to the wall, putting 140 jobs in jeopardy

Canberra-based regional airline Brindabella Airlines has called in receivers and suspended operations after a second CASA grounding of aircraft in its fleet due to incomplete maintenance.

David Winterbottom and Sebastian Hams of KordaMentha were appointed receivers for the airline and its associated businesses on December 15, the day after Brindabella grounded all aircraft in its fleet not already covered by a CASA grounding of its Jetstream 41 aircraft in late November.

Codesharing partner Qantas has stepped in to operate some of the airline’s regional NSW services, while the administrators say they will call for immediate expressions of interest in the sale of the business, “however the business would not continue to operate whilst the sale process is conducted”.

“Given the approaching Christmas and New Year period we will be working very hard to minimise the inconvenience to customers and importantly, enable alternative travel options,” Winterbottom said.

In a statement the administrators said it was “too early to predict the ultimate future of Brindabella or to be precise about the reasons for the Group’s problems, however the competitive nature of the airline industry, regulatory and maintenance issues and the financial pressures this would have placed on the airline would certainly be significant factors”.

Noted the statement: “Brindabella Airlines senior management are working with KordaMentha and are assisting with any requests made of them. ” Winterbottom subsequently spoke to the ABC about Brindabella’s troubles: “The finances of Brindabella haven’t been good for quite a while and that’s part of the very very competitive situation that exists for regional airlines, and Brindabella’s not on their own there.

“It’s pretty tough, and maintenance obviously became an issue recently, and when you get those sort of directions from the authorities to ground aircraft, that doesn’t come cheaply.

“You lose revenue (and) there’s a lot of expenses involved. So that certainly wouldn’t have helped. ” In the wake of Brindabella Airlines suspending its operations, Qantas, Virgin Australia and Regional Express all announced special relief airfares for affected customers.

“Rex will…do its best to alleviate the difficulties and uncertainties of Brindabella staff affected during this festive period,” the regional airline stated. “Already we are being inundated by job applications and we will be doing our utmost to confirm job opportunities for interested applicants before Christmas. ” Brindabella Airlines was formed by Jeff and Lara Boyd in 1994. The Boyds sold the airline in 2011 to the owners of Aeropelican, and the two airlines were subsequently merged.

“I can’t speculate on what happened, I wasn’t there but I just wanted to say that it was a good strong Canberra-based, Canberra-owned airline,” Jeff Boyd told the ABC.

Brindabella employed 140 staff and operated five Metros and seven Jetstream aircraft on up to 250 sectors a week, with services from Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane to Newcastle, Cobar, Coffs Harbour, Moree, Mudgee, Narrabri, Newcastle, Orange and Tamworth.

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NZ govt completes Air NZ share sale

The New Zealand government has completed the sale of 20 per cent of its equity in Air New Zealand, raising NZ$365 million from 221 million shares valued at NZ$1. 65 a share.

Eighty-four per cent of the shares sold by the government were taken up by New Zealand-based investors, with the remainder by overseas institutions including from Australia. The sale was part of a broader asset sale program by the government, which will remain Air New Zealand’s majority shareholder with around 53 per cent of ordinary shares in the airline.

Jetstar’s brief trans-Tasman 787 services

Jetstar plans to operate the Boeing 787 on the Melbourne to Auckland route on three services a week between February 26 and March 28.

“This seasonal 787 service will give our trans-Tasman customers the chance to enjoy the aircraft, which features more natural light, larger cabin bins and inflight entertainment in every seat,” said Jetstar Australia and New Zealand chief executive officer David Hall.

Jetstar took delivery of its first 787 in September and was due to receive its second imminently at presstime, with the third aircraft expected in early January.

Etihad upgrades Melbourne services to 777-300ERs

Eithad will replace its 292-seat Airbus A340-600s with 328-seat Boeing 777-300ERs on its daily Melbourne-Abu Dhabi service from December. The 12 per cent increase in seat capacity and significant boost to freight capacity further strengthens a route Etihad sees as one of the strongest in its global network.

Tigerair drops Mackay, opts for Proserpine

Tigerair is to withdraw from the Sydney-Mackay market and will instead introduce thrice-weekly services to Proserpine from Sydney in response to customer demand. The changes will take effect on February 1.

The Sydney-Proserpine route has not been served directly since 2008.

Tigerair will also increase frequency between Melbourne and Mackay from April.

Air NZ extends Sunshine Coast

Air New Zealand will operate its third consecutive season of services to the Sunshine Coast, with two return flights a week between June 27 and October 26, and three flights weekly during designated peak periods.

AIRLINE BRIEFS

was a staple of Qantas’s domestic predecessors TAA/Australian Airlines’ services to Canberra before the type was retired in 1989, but the modern incarnation of this fondly remembered jet, the Boeing 717, has touched down in the nation’s capital as Qantas re-arms for the hotly contested Canberra corporate market.

QantasLink is introducing five newly-acquired 717s to replace the parent company’s retiring 737-400s on services out of Canberra to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. The 717s are being configured with a brand new, two-class interior that takes up the competitive fight to Virgin Australia’s E-Jets which also serve the capital (with the two airlines’ jet services complemented by Q400 and ATR 72 turboprop services, respectively).

The 110-seat 717 interior features a four-abreast business class cabin with the leather seats boasting a claimed one-inch extra seat pitch and greater width compared to Virgin’s E-190s, with a new slimline design seat in the five-abreast economy class cabin.

The 717s are the first QantasLink aircraft configured with business class since the retirement of its BAe 146s and join 14 already in QantasLink service that feature all-economy configurations and used predominantly in WA.

Brisbane Airport launches $45 million international terminal redevelopment

Brisbane Airport has revealed plans for the most significant redevelopment of its international terminal since the facility opened in 1995.

Two years in the planning, the renovation of the terminal includes “reinvigorated” arrivals and departures areas and increased retail space. The airport has engaged local architecture firm Richards and Spence and Arkhefield to design the redevelopment to give the terminal a distinctive Brisbane style.

“We wanted the international terminal to feel like it couldn’t be anywhere other than Brisbane, so it was important for us to engage local expertise in Richards and Spence and Arkhefield because they understand Brisbane and have been responsible for developing a new and very contemporary take on the Queensland architectural style,” BAC CEO and managing director Julieanne Alroe said.

“At the same time, we asked travel, transport and branding guru Tyler Brûlé to cast his independent and objective global traveller’s eye over the airport to help us plan for the future and meet our vision to create a world-best experience. ” The airport says work is planned to begin in February 2014 with completion scheduled for mid-2015.

CAF critical of Port Stephens development approvals

Fears residential development will be affected by fighter jet noise

Port Stephens Council has managed to upset the single largest employer in the area with the approval of residential developments within established noise contours around RAAF Base Williamtown.

The Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Geoff Brown has expressed his disappointment with a decision by the council to exempt developments that will be exposed to noise from fast jets operations.

“Home owners that purchase these new developments are acquiring properties that will be exposed to high levels of aircraft noise both now with F/A-18A/B Hornets and F-35A in the future,” AIRMSHL Brown said in a statement.

Aircraft noise has been a long-standing issue in the area, with the Department of Defence having spent considerable public funds to acquire noise-affected properties surrounding the air base. The RAAF has also made efforts to mitigate impacts through the acquisition of affected properties and modifications to flight practices and flightpaths.

The recent move by the council, which co-leases Newcastle Airport together with Newcastle City Council from the Department of Defence, demonstrates a similar short-sightedness afflicting other councils that allow residential developments surrounding commercial airports, but arguably more so in Port Stephens given the expected increase in noise impacts at RAAF Williamtown with the arrival of the F-35.

The placement of a higher value on local government incomes rather than minimising exposure to noise is set to create yet more noise-related complaints in a region that already suffers from high levels of activity at the Salt Ash Air Weapons range.

“We will continue to work with the Williamtown community through our fly neighbourly policies. However our focus will be on working with existing home owners,” AIRMSHL Brown added.

Virgin’s first pilot cadets graduate

The first group of Virgin Australia cadet pilots has graduated after a 55-week training program, with seven pilots initially to be sent to Brisbane and Perth as first officers on Virgin Australia Regional Airlines’ Fokker 50 and ATR 72 turboprop fleet.

“When we launched the program in 2012, we were responding to the increasing global demand for well-trained and experienced pilots. As Virgin Australia continues to grow its fleet of 148 aircraft, these pilots will be flying us into the future,” Virgin Australia acting chief operating officer Lawrie Turner said.

The program included 183 hours of flight training and 74 hours of simulator training with FTA in Adelaide, as well as visits to maintenance hangars, aircraft inspections and even what the airline describes as a “test flight” with Sir Richard Branson when he was in Australia in May.

The cadets graduate with a Commercial Pilot Licence, a Multi Engine Command Instrument Rating, Air Transport Pilots Licence subjects; and have completed a a Virgin Australia specific Multi Crew Cooperation program.

Jetstar introduces RNP to the Sunshine Coast

Jetstar has become the first airline to operate a flight to the Sunshine Coast using the airport’s new Smart Tracking Technology, or Required Navigation Performance (RNP), which guides aircraft along precise flightpaths using flight management systems and GPS.

Jetstar chief pilot Mark Rindfleish said inclement weather around the Sunshine Coast Airport traditionally caused up to 15 flights per year to divert to Brisbane.

“With the introduction of RNP in the Sunshine Coast, local weather will no longer have the impact on Jetstar flights it once did,” Captain Rindfleish said.

“This is great news because we know improved reliability is important to our customers. ”

Air Tahiti Nui launches third weekly service

Air Tahiti Nui has launched a third weekly service to Tahiti, offering Australian travellers better access to the sought-after holiday destination in 2014.

The new year-round Tuesday service will complement the airline’s existing Thursday and Sunday flights from Auckland to Papeete linking up with direct codeshare connections from Sydney and Melbourne.

Air Tahiti Nui general manager New Zealand Australia Mark Hutchinson said the additional flight opened up more flexible itinerary options for holidaymakers.

“It’s the first time we’ve offered three weekly flights year-round so we are looking forward to a big year,” Mr Hutchinson said.

The airline has almost completed a fleetwide cabin redesign, to include more comfortable seats and a new inflight entertainment system which delivers tablet-quality viewing, with the final aircraft due to be revamped by mid-2014.

First flight for RAAF C-27J

The RAAF’s first C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft has completed its maiden flight in Italy.

DMO chief executive officer Warren King stated that the milestone represents a major step towards enhancing airlift capability. King said in a statement that the C-27J program remains on budget and on schedule, with the first two aircraft due to arrive in Australia in 2015.

Alenia Aermacchi stated on November 22 that the first RAAF C-27J is expected to be delivered to prime contractor L-3 Communications in the first quarter of 2014

Bombardier’s solid Dubai, Challenger selected for MSA

suchBombardier won more than just US$2 billion in sales at the Dubai Airshow, with its Challenger 605 business jet has been selected by Boeing as the platform for its Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) program.

In its selection of the Challenger, Boeing said it offered the global market “a capable, low-risk maritime surveillance system based on Boeing’s proven P-8A mission system technology”. The aircraft, which will be converted by Boeing partner Field Aviation, will be configured to undertake missions First flight for RAAF C-27J The RAAF’s first C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft has completed its maiden flight in Italy.

DMO chief executive officer Warren King stated that the milestone represents a major step towards enhancing airlift capability. King said in a statement that the C-27J program remains on budget and on schedule, with the first two aircraft due to arrive in Australia in 2015.

Alenia Aermacchi stated on November 22 that the first RAAF C-27J is expected to be delivered to prime contractor L-3 Communications in the first quarter of 2014 The first RAAF C-27J has flown.

Bombardier’s solid Dubai, Challenger selected for MSAsuch as anti-piracy, coastal and border security, and long-range search and rescue.

The Challenger’s payload capacity, endurance and speed were determining factors in its selection by Boeing.

Field Aviation is currently modifying a Boeing-owned Challenger 604 jet into an MSA demonstrator that will complete ground and flight testing of the mission systems and be presented to potential customers in 2014.

In commercial aircraft sales, Bombardier secured an order for up to 16 CS300 regional jets from Iraqi Airways, bringing the number of CSeries jets ordered so far to 419. The manufacturer also launched a higher-density 86-seat version of its NextGen Q400 when Thailand’s Nok Air placed firm commitments for two of the aircraft. Bombardier announced orders for up to 22 Q400s at the show.

Battle of Dubai

Dubai Airshow 2013 becomes a watershed for Middle East’s future widebody strategies – and world domination

The 13th Dubai Airshow held in mid-November was set to be a showdown between Airbus and Boeing, and the sheer numbers that eventuated set new records and confirmed the expanding role of Middle East carriers in global aviation.

Nearly US$150 billion worth of orders and options for 502 aircraft were received by Airbus and Boeing alone, with the US manufacturer taking the majority share of that total based around the launch of its 777X.

Boeing recorded 342 sales at Dubai, worth US$101. 5 billion. Airbus announced 160 orders worth US$44 billion.

Representing what Boeing described as “the largest product launch in commercial jetliner history”, the 777X gained 259 orders – 150 from Emirates comprising 115 for the 777-9X and 35 for the smaller 777-8X. Qatar Airways announced commitments for 50 777-9Xs and Etihad 17 777‑9Xs and eight -8Xs, adding to the previously-announced commitment from Lufthansa as launch customer for the 777X with 34.

Boeing also passed the 1,000 mark for sales of its 787 family, with a commitment from Etihad for 30 787-10s, making it now the largest 787 customer, with 71 on order.

FlyDubai announced the largest narrowbody order of the show, with a commitment for 111 737s comprising 100 for the 737 MAX 8 and 11 for current generation 737s. The order brought the total MAX backlog to 1,600.

Airbus reaffirmed its belief in the A350’s competitive strength. The type received 50 orders during the show – 40 A350-900s and 10 -1000s. The manufacturer sighed some relief as Emirates committed to another 50 A380s. The new order sees Emirates accounting for more than half the total 259 orders received for the A380 so far.

Following the trend of narrowbody orders being the anomaly at the Dubai show, Airbus received orders for 36 A320 family aircraft from Etihad and four from start-up airline Libyan Wings.

Meanwhile the A330-200F saw ongoing success with five firm orders from Qatar Airways Cargo plus eight commitments and one firm order from Etihad.

Air Algérie also committed for three A330-200 passenger aircraft.

Reflecting on the increasingly apparent trend towards large aircraft orders, Airbus said traffic growth in the Middle East has led to average aircraft size growing by 25 per cent with airlines selecting larger aircraft or up-sizing existing backlogs.

Buying power

Middle East carriers already account for more than 85 per cent of the total 777X backlog.

In an innovative twist on pressuring manufacturers for discounts, the declaration that Qatar Airways and Emirates collaborated to extract volume discounts from Boeing for their respective 777X orders no doubt signaled to other airlines the benefits of a united buyers’ front. It was the first time publicly the two commercial rivals had pooled their considerable financial weight against an aircraft manufacturer.

“We’re buying airplanes, we’re not going to the supermarket, so we’re not going to do this every time,” Qatar’s CEO Akbar Al Baker said after signing the contracts. “But when we do a similar program in the future then yes, I hope that we will be able to do it together. ” The two carriers are said to have worked together in the lead-up to the order signing exchanging technical and performance specifications for the 777X, which were then presented to Boeing.

“It has been a very successful negotiation for both of us,” Al Baker said. “We always had leverage on aircraft manufacturers, we place such large orders and so often. ” Etihad did not participate in the joint negotiations for its 777X and 787 purchases, but has embarked on a different strategy of ordering aircraft on behalf of airlines in which it has equity. This was most recently demonstrated when the airline confirmed it would on-lease 10 of the 36 A320 family aircraft ordered in Dubai to equity partner carrier Air Serbia.

The joint signing for 200 777Xs by Emirates and Qatar Airways respectively accounted for more than half of total sales announced at Dubai. Both airlines will use the new-model 777s to replace older variants of the type currently in service. In the case of Emirates, by 2020 when the new aircraft are delivered, the oldest of its current 777-300ERs would be up to 15 years old, if indeed they are retained that long.

Overall, the order trend maintained an upward line of Boeing taking the lead over Airbus for successive airshow announcements. At the Dubai 2011 show, Boeing edged ahead of Airbus, the former announcing US$19 billion in orders against Airbus’s US$17. 6 billion. By the end of the Paris Airshow, however, that lead had widened to US$129 billion compared to $50 billion for Boeing and Airbus respectively.

Considering the outcome of the airshow in Dubai, and despite Airbus maintaining the majority share of the narrowbody order backlog, Boeing’s lead will no doubt energise Airbus into renewed sales efforts focused on reviving the flagging A380 and leveraging the A350 in what is now a very different competitive world.

South Korea to buy F-35s

The South Korean government has all but selected the F-35 as its “high capability stealth fighter”, of which it is expected to buy up to 60, with an initial tranche of 40 in the conventional takeoff and landing configuration for delivery between 2018 and 2024.

Although not having yet confirmed the acquisition of the F-35 by name, the government’s defence ministry has narrowed the selection down to a point it effectively excludes all other types. The F-35 has been competing with the latest version of the F-15, of which South Korea currently has 60 in service, and Europe’s Typhoon, both of which have now been ruled out.

It is said the F-35 deal would also include an offset arrangement by which Lockheed Martin would contribute to the development of an indigenous fighter capability – the KF-X – the details of which continue to be negotiated as part of the broader deal.

A firm commitment is anticipated early in the new year.

CASA lifts Dromader grounding

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has lifted its grounding of the Dromader aircraft once owners comply with new wing inspection requirements.

The inspections, covered by a new airworthiness directive, follow a safety review of the type after the fatal October 24 crash of Rebel Air Dromader VH-TZJ while involved in aerial firefighting on the NSW south coast. The new requirements ZB021 took off from Paine Field, Everett at 12:15 pm local time on November 19 before landing 2 hours and 44 minutes later at Seattle’s Boeing Field. Boeing says it will use ZB021 to test for maintenance inspections of wing components include regular inspections of wing attachment joints for corrosion or cracking, and come after the ATSB’s initial investigation into the accident found that the aircraft’s wing separated inflight as a result of fatigue cracking.

The timing of the inspections depends on how many hours the aircraft has flown, the directive stating a requirement for a visual engine performance as well as aircraft handling characteristics such as low-speed performance and braking. inspection every 100 hours and the centre wing and outboard wings to be removed to allow better access for inspection of the wing attachment joints every 2,500 hours. An earlier requirement for inspection of attachment joints every 500 hours remains, but the wings do not need to be removed from the fuselage.

CASA said once Dromader operators have complied with the new inspection requirements their aircraft can resume operations.

Final flight test 787-9 flies

The third and final 787-9 flight test aircraft, and the first to be powered by General Electric GEnx engines, has made its first flight.

Flight test aircraftZB021 took off from Paine Field, Everett at 12:15 pm local time on November 19 before landing 2 hours and 44 minutes later at Seattle’s Boeing Field. Boeing says it will use ZB021 to testengine performance as well as aircraft handling characteristics such as low-speed performance and braking.