Airbus Military has started final assembly of its first production A400M transport. The French air force is scheduled to receive the airlifter (MSN7) in late 2012 or early 2013, Airbus said. Eight other A400Ms are at various stages of production. The A400M began test flights in late 2009 and is positioned as an intermediate sized
Hawker Pacific is set to tour the new jet fuel burning Diamond DA42-NG four seater piston twin around Australia early next year. The company will showcase the twin after a week long, 7150nm ferry flight from Diamond Aircraft headquarters in Austria to Darwin via eastern Europe and Asia. Powered by twin Austro Engine-made AE300 turbo diesels, Hawker says the
Virgin Australia says pre-tax profits rose during the first quarter despite higher fuel costs, but stopped short of providing specifics. The airline said it could not provide clear profit guidance because of the uncertain global economic environment but continued “to expect an improvement in underlying performance over the last financial year.” Virgin Australia reported an
Qantas is the subject of yet another less than flattering international news story after a Twitter competition to win a pair of luxury pyjamas became a contest to come up with the best line bashing the beleaguered airline. Qantas invited its Twitter followers to use the ‘#QantasLuxury’ ‘hashtag’ to Tweet their “dream luxury in-flight experience” and get
Airbus has started production of carbon fibre wings for its composite built A350 XWB, marking another step toward completion of the new widebody. Assembly of the 32 metre long wings is taking place at Airbus’s recently opened factory in Broughton, UK. The twin engine A350 is slated to compete with Boeing’s 777 and 787 airliners.
The US Navy has tabbed Boeing to begin engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) of an infrared air-to-air targeting system for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter. The US$135 million contract for the Infrared Search and Track (IRST) sensor represents a key element of the Navy’s Block II Super Hornet flight plan. The IRST is scheduled for
