Airvan becomes most made Australian plane
The GA8 Airvan has set a new record as the most produced Australian-made civil type certificated aircraft, manufacturer GippsAERO says. The 175th Airvan recently rolled off the assembly line at GippsAERO’s facility in Morwell, Victoria, breaking a record previously held by the N24 Nomad. The first production GA8 was delivered to Fraser Island Air in
Lockheed delivers 4500th F-16
Lockheed Martin has delivered the 4500th F-16 Fighting Falcon, a Block 52 aircraft destined for Morocco. In production since 1975, the F-16 has been selected as a front-line fighter by 26 countries. Lockheed currently has 70 unfilled F-16 orders that will keep its Fort Worth, Texas production line open until at least 2016. That includes
Diamond DA52 takes first flight
Diamond Aircraft has announced the successful first flight of its carbon composite built, twin-engine DA52. Diamond said its new flagship seven-seater reached an altitude of 12,000ft in less than nine minutes and a cruising speed of 190kt during the hour long flight. Diamond chairman Christian Dries called the aircraft “the best prototype aircraft I have
Virgin names frequent flyer CEO
Virgin Australia has created a separate business division for its Velocity Frequent Flyer program and has appointed former Qantas executive Neil Thompson as CEO of the new branch. Virgin said the move reflected its increasing focus on its frequent flyer program. “The Velocity Frequent Flyer program is critical to Virgin Australia’s goal of becoming the
Angola Airlines orders three 777s
Angolan flag carrier TAAG Linhas Aereas de Angola – otherwise known as Angola Airlines — has ordered three Boeing 777-300ERs with options on three more, Boeing has announced. The West African airline said it would use the new aircraft to expand routes to Brazil, Portugal and elsewhere in Europe. The carrier currently operates three 777-200ERs
Flying car could be reality by next year
The long cherished dream of the flying car could be a commercial reality within the next year, according to a US company that last month completed the successful first flight of its “street-legal airplane.” The Transition, developed by Massachusetts based Terrafugia, features foldable wings, can be parked in a single car garage and can reach
