Australian Aviation

BAE Systems Australia announced that it has launched a new academic scholarship for women in regional Australia – to undertake an engineering degree and explore career opportunities in defence industry – and named it after Australia’s first two female RAAF pilots.

In a joint press release, Transport Minister Catherine King and Foreign Minister Penny Wong acknowledged the anniversary, recognising the “ongoing heartache and grief” of those who lost loved ones and the “significant contributions” made to efforts to find the plane.

The jet (similar aircraft pictured) touched down this month in Perth as part of NJE’s fleet expansion program, which added a ninth De Havilland Dash 8-Q400 aircraft to the carrier’s stable in October, and comes as the charter operator begins E190 services between Perth and West Musgrave.

Lawrie on Friday served as first officer on board Virgin Australia flight VA313 from Melbourne to Brisbane, Virgin’s second annual all-female-operated flight for International Women’s Day, which took off as VA313 at 8:26am and landed at 9:13am (all times local).

Adam and Jake discuss what Bonza’s two new dry-leased planes mean for the airline’s future, and whether the airline could eventually fly from Sydney to Melbourne.

Defence has confirmed that 2nd Commando Regiment soldier Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon, son of former defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon, died following injuries sustained during a parachuting incident on 6 March.