The independent Australian airpower thinktank the Williams Foundation has called for Australia’s acquisition of the F-35 JSF to be delayed to allow the aircraft to mature, in light of recent news that IOC (initial operating capability) for the US Air Force may now be as late as 2018. “In the Williams Foundation’s judgment, it would
The RAAF has marked its 90th birthday on March 31 with a commemorative service in Canberra which saw the addition of Battle Honours to the RAAF Memorial. Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Mark Binskin said it was important to remember those who had given their lives in RAAF service and recognise their achievements. “Air
Sydney Metro Airport Bankstown has announced that it has gained approval from Federal Minister for Transport Anthony Albanese to lodge a new revised draft masterplan by February 15 2013, as the airport looks to assess the impact of future developments in the Sydney Basin. The announcement follows on from Albanese’s initial rejection of Bankstown Airport’s
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) has finalised an order for 10 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, in a deal worth approximately US$2.8 billion at list prices. Citing a need to meet growing airline demand for long haul passenger aircraft, the recent announcement now brings GECAS’s order to a total of 53 777s, with 41 of those being
Australian Army Chinooks have returned to Afghanistan, with the deployment of two of the heavylift helicopters to Kandahar Air Base. Supporting International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operations, the CH-47Ds from Townsville’s 5th Aviation Regiment, which form the Rotary Wing Group (RWG) will be embedded with the US Army’s 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, and have already
Qantas has announced plans to cut domestic and international capacity growth, suspensions and cuts to some Japan and NZ services, the early retirement of two 767s, and plans to reduce management staff numbers in response to high jet fuel prices and the recent natural disasters in Japan, New Zealand and Queensland. “We need to act
