Australian Aviation

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale of 12 Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin MH-60R helicopters and associated parts, equipment and logistical support to Denmark, at a total estimated cost of $US2bn (A$2.06bn). Included in the deal are 27 GE T700-GE-401C engines, communication equipment, support equipment, spare and repair

The USAF’s X-37B unmanned space plane is due to return to earth for the first time sometime in the first week of December after spending nearly eight months in orbit. Launched on April 22 atop a Delta expendable rocket booster, the aircraft, which resembles a mini space shuttle orbiter, will land at Vandenberg AFB north

The Royal Flying Doctor Service’s Central Operations is seeking to establish a new, consolidated base at Adelaide Airport. The organisation, which has hangar and maintenance space at the airport but its administration at inner suburban Mile End, is negotiating with Adelaide Airport Ltd for land at the airport on which to build a new facility.

Moorabbin-based Oxford Aviation Academy (OAA) has received JAR-FCL approval from the UK CAA approval for its ATPL integrated and modular airline pilot training courses. The approval comes following OAA’s acquisition of two new Mechtronix flight navigation and procedure trainers (FNPTIIs), one of which will be used for instrument flight training (a Cessna 172S piston simulator),

A new rescue helicopter service dedicated to the south coast of NSW commenced operations on December 1 from Moruya Airport. The service, operated by the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter Service for the summer months, became possible after additional funding from Westpac. It will cover the coastal area between Shoalhaven Heads near Nowra to the Victorian border.

Diamond Aircraft CEO, Christian Dries, has announced he is stepping down from his position, and has named Gerd Berchtold as his successor. “Dr Berchtold is a highly experienced and respected aeronautical engineer,” Dries told the Financial Times Deutschland. “I need a CEO who takes care 100 per cent of the aircraft. Dr Berchtold brings not