Jake Nelson

Under the new three-year agreement, SLSWA will continue to deliver helicopter, jet-ski and beach patrols for safety and shark monitoring, as well as communications through its SurfCom centre and shark notifications on social media.

According to official figures cited by the researchers, light aircraft account for over 90 per cent of aviation-related fatalities. More than half the studies reviewed found human factors, including pilot error, poor decision-making, and reduced situational awareness.

Part of Bankstown’s $60 million Aviation Hangar Project Major Development Plan (MDP), the project will see the construction of two new hangars and associated facilities, which will support up to 10 GA operations in the southwest Sydney region.

Starting February next year, the smaller jets will operate flights from the Sunshine Coast to Sydney and Melbourne, replacing the 737s that currently operate these routes.

Queensland Fire Department has secured an extension to the contract of its Large Air Tanker aircraft until the end of the 2026–27 fire season, with four additional services also made available until the end of the 2028–29 bushfire risk period.

The aircraft, Embraer’s 1,900th E-Jet delivered since the family was launched in 2004, is expected to arrive in Australia soon in preparation for the commencement of Virgin Australia Regional Airlines revenue flights in Western Australia next month.