X-47B makes first cruise flight
Northrop Grumman’s X-47B UCAS demonstrator completed its first flight in the cruise configuration with its undercarriage raised recently. The September 30 “flight gave us our first clean look at the aerodynamic cruise performance of the X-47B air system…and it is proving out all of our predictions,” said Janis Pamiljans, VP and Navy UCAS program manager
Air France, Airbus operate “world’s greenest commercial flight”
An Air France Airbus A321 has flown a scheduled flight between Toulouse and Paris/Orly which was able to cut CO2 emmissions in half due to a combination of “optimised” air traffic management (ATM) procedures including continuous descent approach, and the use of biofuels. Flight AF6129 used a 50:50 biofuel/jet fuel mix in both engines, which,
Please consider – Jetstar Japan pilots wanted
Jetstar has announced plans to recruit up to 100 pilots over the next 12 to 18 months to join its new Jetstar Japan operation. Jetstar says it will give “preference” to A320 rated crew for the new positions, as Jetstar Japan, which will begin operations in late 2012, plans to operate up to 24 A320s
China Southern joins A380 operator ranks
China Southern has become the latest airline to take delivery of the Airbus A380, with its first of five handed over at the manufacturer’s Toulouse Delivery Centre on October 13. “We are proud to become the first A380 operator in China,” said Si Xianmin, chairman of China Southern. “The introduction of the A380 in our
Virgin Australia to code with Hawaiian
Virgin Australia has announced the latest plank in its international airline alliance strategy, with codeshared services on Hawaiian Airlines flights between Sydney and Honolulu, and connections through to the Hawaiian islands of Maui, Kauai and The Big Island, going on sale today. Virgin Australia’s V Australia international long haul airline’s code will be placed on
Industrial action leads Qantas to ground five aircraft
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has announced that go slow action and overtime bans by the company’s Australian Licenced Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (ALAEA) members has caused it to ground five domestic aircraft for one month from October 17. Joyce said the grounding is necessary because insufficient maintenance is being worked on the airline’s fleet, meaning flights
