The latest variant of Northrop Grumman’s Fire Scout unmanned helicopter, the MQ-8C, has made its first flight, with a short seven minute hop from Point Mugu in California. The MQ-8C takes the mission systems and sensors developed for the MQ-8B Fire Scout and fits it to a larger airframe based on Bell’s 407 helicopter, which
The US Federal Aviation Administration has approved passenger use of portable electronic devices – PEDS – in all phases of flight following the findings of the PED Aviation Rulemaking Committee which determined that most commercial airliners can tolerate radio interference signals from PEDs. The decision means passengers will be able to use devices such as smartphones,
The long-awaited tender by NSW Health for aeromedical services is poised to be released, the first step in an anticipated shake-up of how rotary-wing services are structured and delivered. The Helicopter Retrieval Network, which is aimed at increasing standardisation, will feature Northern NSW and Southern NSW ‘super regions’. In information released this month to the
AirAsia X operated its inaugural Kuala Lumpur-Adelaide service on October 31, marking the start of its year-round four-weekly schedule. The airline is the only one to offer a direct low-cost service between Malaysia and Adelaide. The airline said it has been encouraged by demand for the new route, with the inaugural flight operating at a
Qantas and Virgin Australia are engaged in a war of airport lounges, with Virgin Australia opening its new Sydney and Cairns lounges, while Qantas, not to be upstaged, previewed its new lounges in Hong Kong and Los Angeles. The flagship lounge stretches across two levels and can accommodate up to 500 guests, with design elements
Qantas has increased its stake in Jetstar Japan via an equity injection “to support the airline’s growth”. Both Qantas and Japan Airlines are injected a combined ¥11 billion (around A$120m) into Jetstar Japan via non-voting shares, taking their holdings in Jetstar Japan to 45.7 per cent each. Consequently, Mitsubishi Corporation and Century Tokyo Leasing’s shares will
