Marc Joel Atrero

The sound of another year whooshing by has barely subsided and we find ourselves already immersed in the new year, wondering what our industry and our business holds for us in 2009. In some areas, following good rain, we have seen one of the strongest seasons in years. In other areas, work has been piecemeal

On speaking with a number of regional operators it is clear that 2009 will be a difficult year. That being said, operators will display their usual resilience in providing safe, reliable aviation services to regional and remote Australia. Given the difficult economic outlook the RAAA calls on the federal government to show strict discipline in

More history passes On 5 January two more long running callsigns, Eastern and Sunstate, passed into history, replaced by “Q Link” as the forced marriage of the two regionals moves inexorably closer. Battles for Bali and Honiara Facing overcapacity and severe travel warnings Garuda aborted Brisbane/Bali before first flight, Pacific Blue direct and Jetstar via

Since the current model of CTAFs and CTAF(R)s were introduced in November 2005 there have been at least two changes to the initial formula. Now more are on the way. In late 2008 CASA flagged its intention to introduce new rules relating to the minimum broadcasts required to be made by pilots operating at all

10 Years Ago After a departure from the Swiss Chateau d’Oex alpine village on March 1, the *Breitling Orbiter 3** Cameron Balloons hot-air balloon with Swiss Bertrand Piccard and Englishman Brian Jones began its around-the-world quest. After a sucìcessful 45,755km non-stop around the world journey during which they captured several records, a landing was made

…UH-1H Iroquois and five Bell 47 Sioux helicopters took off from RNZAF Base Ohakea for a flight over Palmerston North, Marton and Bulls before returning to the base. This was the first time in 20 years that all of the RNZAF’s helicopters have flown in formation, thanks largely to the maintenance troop having all aircraft