Australian Aviation

The bodies of 67-year-old Mark White, chief flying instructor at Midcoast Microlights, and 69-year-old Simon Peutrill have been recovered after their Sting S4, registered 23-1677 (similar aircraft pictured), plunged into the ocean near Scotts Head in the Coffs Harbour area on Saturday afternoon.

Acting Sub-Lieutenant Natika Dunn was awarded her wings in a joint graduation of Navy and Air Force pilots from Course 278 ADF Intermediate Pilots Course. The Wings badge is given to aircrew who achieve required proficiency in flying military aircraft.

The Flying Kangaroo saw 73.93 per cent of its flights arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled time in 2024, compared to 73.4 per cent for Jetstar and 72.7 per cent for Virgin Australia, while 98.36 per cent of its flights were completed, according to data from global analyst Cirium.

The airport made the switch on New Year’s Day, buying 100 per cent Queensland-based wind and solar energy generation from Stanwell in a deal first signed in 2022.

The airport was forced to shut its north-south runway on Sunday night following the incident, as the tyre damage to the Dreamliner, A6-BLN, meant it could not be immediately cleared from the runway and was reportedly stuck there for around 14 hours.

New data released by airline data company OAG reveals that while the route remained the fifth busiest domestic service in the world, the numbers were also slightly down on 2023.