Reports are increasingly surfacing about Boeing’s new 777 developments, with airlines said to have strongly influenced the manufacturer’s move towards a replacement for the smaller capacity but longer range 777-200LR. Boeing had been focused on a larger 400-seat version dubbed the 777-9X, but in addition to this aircraft, which would offer more capacity than the
Virgin Australia, Brisbane Airport and SkyNRG have announced plans for a feasibility study into establishing a “bioport” at Brisbane Airport, with the aim of allowing aircraft to be fuelled with sustainable biofuels. A memorandum of understanding will see the three parties undertake a feasibility study, expected to take 12 months, which “will involve researching the
Control of the RAAF’s 5 Flight, which operates the Heron surveillance UAV in Afghanistan, has been transferred from Air Combat Group to Surveillance and Response Group (SRG). At the time the Heron capability was stood up in January 2010, Air Combat Group was deemed the most suitable FEG (Force Element Group) for the nascent UAV
In a significant speech to the finance community, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has taken the opportunity to review the airline’s transformation in what he described as an “immense” achievement, while remaining cautious about costs and full-year results. “The level of activity and achievement has been immense. If you take just the month of April we’ve
Colac Aerodrome, which celebrated its 50th anniversary on May 5, has received $163,000 from the Victorian government’s Regional Aviation Fund. The south-west Victorian GA airfield will use the funds to seal the gravel runway and apron areas, and widen the aircraft turning zones to provide a predictable all-weather surface for safer takeoffs and landings. Victoria’s
A final report by the Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) into the crash of a Robinson R44 in February 2012 that killed its two occupants has reinforced calls to replace the helicopter’s fuel tanks, which have been shown to have a tendency to rupture and contribute to fatal accidents. The ATSB found in its
