Year: 2026

NSW Police Aviation Command (POL AIR) has stationed two drones in Moree, to be remotely operated from Bankstown Airport, for proactive aerial surveillance. The six-month trial will see the drones used as “eyes in the skies” to assist first-response police officers.

Research co-led by the University of Oxford, published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment, says airlines could dramatically cut their carbon footprints by using more fuel-efficient planes, increasing load factors, and moving to all-economy layouts.

Exercise Kenney Strikes Back saw USAF C-17 Globemaster IIIs, operated by 62nd Airlift Wing, loaded with high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) from 10th Brigade’s 14th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery alongside Australian Army Bushmasters and US Army MRZR all-terrain vehicles.

The Gulf carrier will host information sessions in Sydney on 21 and 22 January for positions in Dubai as it seeks to bring on 17,300 new staff members across 350 roles this year. It comes as the local industry continues to struggle with a small talent pool of LAMEs.

The Department of Defence pleaded guilty to a single charge under section 33 of the Commonwealth Work Health and Safety Act, admitting it did not take reasonably practicable measures to eliminate or minimise the health and safety risks to a Royal Australian Air Force technician.

On this week’s Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake Nelson talks to Jesse Young from Leidos and Kristen Raby of Aviation/Aerospace Australia on how the industry can break down the barriers to a more diverse workforce.