Marc Joel Atrero

Defence Minister Senator John Faulkner announced that Australia has committed to buy a first batch of 14 Lockheed Martin F-35A Joint Strike Fighters (JSFs) and associated training and support infrastructure for the RAAF at an estimated cost of $3.2 billion, after cabinet’s National Security Committee granted second pass approval for the purchase on November 24.

The livery, which Boeing says saves time and expense compared to the full Boeing house colours (and is similar to that on 787 test aircraft ZA005), features a white fuselage with blue accents, an oversized figure ‘8’ on the tail and ‘747-8’ on the belly. After flight test this aircraft will be refurbished and repainted

It’s is not every day that the Australian government commits to buy a new fighter, so November 25’s announcement by Defence Minister John Faulkner that the acquisition of an initial 14 F-35 JSFs for the RAAF was hugely significant. It was a momentous day, perhaps somewhat muted by the fact that it was eight years

The A380 in service with Qantas & SIA With just over a year in service, Qantas’s flagship A380 fleet is proving to be popular on its key London and Los Angeles routes, while October 25 saw the second anniversary of the aircraft entering service with Singapore Airlines. Both carriers have been operating their aircraft against

The Virgin Blue group of airlines appears on the verge of major expansion that may bring an entirely new dimension long range travel to Australia. As Contrails was closing for publication it learnt that the airline’s executives were closing on an order for up to 70 jets that would include up to six 777-200LR to

New Allocations REGISTRATION/TYPE/SERIAL NUMBER/DATE/OWNER OR OPERATOR/PREVIOUS REGISTRATIONS ALY Corby CJ‑1 Starlet 354 2/10/09 Derek Hardie, 117 Empire Bay Dr Empire Bay 2257 BBS Jabiru J430 699 24/9/09 Gregory Morris, 41 Cooma Rd Narrabri NSW 2390 BDL Robinson R44 Raven II 10858 14/10/09 Jeff Harris Aviation, PO Box 386 Lennox Head NSW 2478 VH‑JJH BQY SIAI