GE to sponsor aviation Hall of Fame
GE has lent its support as a founding partner of the nascent Australian Aviation Hall of Fame. Established in 2010, the Hall will recognise individuals and organisations that have made an important contribution to civil aviation both in Australia and around the world. Plans are afloat to build a physical Hall in Wagga Wagga by
Boeing takes its Phantom Eye for a spin
Boeing’s hydrogen powered, high altitude spy drone has taken a small step toward first flight with a spin around the runway at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Resembling the offspring of a glider mated with a zeppelin, the Phantom Eye features a 45.7m wingspan atop a pot-bellied fuselage capable of holding enough hydrogen to
Dreamliner gets a trophy, but airlines tire of waiting
Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner has won the 2011 Collier Trophy, capping a year that saw the heavily hyped aeroplane finally enter commercial service but continue to face production snags. The Collier Trophy, an annual award presented by the US National Aeronautics Association, recognises “the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America.” First awarded in 1911,
Cathay profits plunge on high fuel costs
Cathay Pacific has reported a 61 per cent drop in annual profits and says tougher times are ahead. The Hong Kong based airline blamed the weaker than expected result on a familiar combination of high fuel prices and global economic instability, factors the carrier says have worsened during the early part of this year. “As
Qantas calls for public review of Virgin plans
Qantas has moved to block plans by Virgin Australia to alter its ownership structure and allow greater foreign investment. In a submission to the International Air Services Commission, Qantas called for a “comprehensive, public review” of Virgin’s plans, which were announced last month and would go into effect at the end of March. Virgin proposed
Qantas A380 oil leaks part of bigger problem — ATSB
Oil leaks that hit two Qantas A380 flights last year were part of a wider problem with the aircraft’s Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine, the ATSB has reported. The safety agency said Rolls-Royce, Qantas and Airbus have since taken “proactive safety action” to mitigate the problem, which stems from a loose connection with an external oil
