Marc Joel Atrero

January-March, 1945. 50 Years Ago… January 1 – Western Front Europe Operation Bodenplatte. Before dawn 900 Luftwaffe aircraft attack Allied airfields, mainly in the Second TAF area. The Allies are surprised, though some fighters are up on early patrols, and almost 150 aircraft are destroyed plus 80 damaged. Few pilots are lost. Within days most

Rolls Buys Allison Rolls-Royce cemented its position as one of the big three in the aeroengine business in November when it agreed to buy the Allison Engine Company. On a debt free basis and subject to US regulatory approval, Rolls will pay $525 million to the management team that bought the old General Motors subsidiary

Regional Airline News Airlines of Tasmania placed Metro III VH-NEL ‘City of Launceston, Tasmania’ into service on November 9. The Metro III, which has been leased from Tamair, is scheduled to operate seventeen sectors a day on four days of the week. Tamair PA31-350 VH-NEH entered service with Airlines of Tasmania in November. Airnorth planned

Subtle Incapacitation The old blue and white Piper Pacer had seen better days, but there was no denying its appeal, even parked and silent on the grass beside the little airport’s deserted apron. No, I’m not just short cutting and talking about the once ubiquitous Tripacer, or “Piechaser” as irreverent aero dubbers of yesteryear preferred

Ba Refurbishment Programme To Ensure Concorde Operations Well Into The 21st Century As the ‘First Lady of the Skies’ enters her 25th year, Concorde’s two operators are investing substantially in her future with an internal makeover, and an update programme to keep her in the skies for at least another 25 years. During a recent

A23 – Pilatus PC-9/A On December 16, 1985, the Government announced its decision to cancel development of the Australian Aircraft Consortium (AAC) A10 Wamira and to select instead the Swiss Pilatus PC-9. Sixty-nine of these advanced trainers would be ordered, but ultimately this was reduced to 67 by July 10, 1986, when the contract was