Inbox

RAAF to acquire two additional KC-30s

John N says: I am really surprised by the angst shown by some over the government’s decision to purchase secondhand former QF airframes, obviously there is a cost element to this decision, but from a pure ‘commonality’ point of view when operating a relatively small fleet, it makes perfect sense to me.

These two airframes came off the A330 production line in 2007, the airframe for the first KC-30A was produced in 2006 and the remaining four were produced between 2008 and 2010.

Roll forward to today, 2015, and if the government was to have ordered ‘new’ green airframes for MRTT conversion, that would probably mean airframes produced in 2016 or 2017.

Can you imagine all the subtle (but significant) and not so subtle engineering changes in that time?

Richmond welcomes the C-27J

Miles Harrison says: Can’t wait too see the C-27J in the air above my house in Windsor, but do wonder on the future of RAAF Richmond.

A developer’s dream and once Badgerys Creek is built no need to keep it as an emergency airfield to Sydney.

Welcome little guy.

Retro Roo puts Perth back on the Qantas International map

Mackai says: Good to see them utilise the 737 internationally out of Perth,

Can’t wait to see the C-27J in the air. Welcome little guy.

so many sit there for hours doing nothing, they should take one of Jetstar’s frequencies to Bali, then Jetstar use the spare aircraft to restart Lombok, the demand was always there and still is, if not AirAsia to take the opportunity to try it.

Qantas to offer staff one-off bonus

John Harrison says: Nice to see at last Qantas senior management looking after their staff for a change.

Anything would be better than nothing, as in the past all management did was to kick its staff when they were down.

Many many moons ago, there was a great CEO and gave the staff extra staff travel tickets.

It was great, I wish all current staff good luck with the bonus, enjoy it.

No F-35Bs for RAN LHDs – report

Steve says: I will always recall the tale of F-111s that had carried out a mock attack on HMAS Melbourne and were comfortably setting into cruise home quite some distance after its ‘attack’.

Much to the crews’ surprise and chagrin they saw a RAN A-4 formating on their wingtip – no radar warning as the A-4 had been vectored in by a ship radar.

Craigy says: The Navy has said that it would need to make alterations to the ships to enable them to carry fixed-wing STOVL aircraft.

They haven’t said they can’t.

It’s just a question of what capability is required to meet government policies and then funding them.

Steve says: Despite disparaging remarks from some, the ski jump on the LHDs may well serve to launch UAVs and even light attack aircraft like the Textron Scorpion which is about to be tested by the Royal Navy.