Australian Aviation

The sensors, positioned in Keilor, Sunshine and Bulla, complement six existing noise monitors operated by Airservices Australia, and have been set up in response to community feedback during last year’s public exhibition of the new north-south runway project slated to open in 2027.

The American twin-turboprop light attack and observation aircraft, used during the Vietnam War, is a direct reminder of the 36 Royal Australian Air Force pilots who flew with the US Air Force 19th and 20th Tactical Air Support Squadrons during the conflict.

Running until 20 August, the airshow features aerobatic displays, demonstrations of RAAF and US military aircraft, street vendors, STEM exhibitions, art, entertainment, and other attractions. The Australian Aviation team is on the ground to cover the event.

Flight ZL709 touched down in Hobart at 11:30am on Thursday aboard VH-8KH. Rex is now flying daily between the two capitals, complementing its Saab 340 regional services to Burnie, Devonport, and King Island, and adding an extra 128,000 seats per year between Tasmania and the mainland.

In its Australian Aviation Network Overview 2023, the air traffic control body said there has been a 16.3 per cent increase in average daily drone flights in FY2023 vs FY2022. December 2022 was the highest month for detections, with 5,258 drone activities spotted near airports.

The partnership, which began in 2013 and was re-authorised in 2018, was slated to expire on 31 March 2023, but was granted interim authorisation days before it was up, allowing it to continue while the competition watchdog made a more substantive determination.