RAAF trials new Hawk scheme
The RAAF has begun trialling a new camouflage pattern for one of its Hawk 127 lead-in fighters, in a bid to reduce the risk of mid-air collision by increasing aircraft visibility. Air Force News’ FLTLT Skye Smith reports that HQ 78WG’s decision to go with a darker, two-tone gloss paint scheme for the Hawk (A27-30)
Boeing unveils 747-8 Intercontinental
Boeing has rolled out its new 747-8 Intercontinental passenger jet, in a ceremony attended by thousands of guests, customers, employees, government officials and suppliers at its plant in Everett, Washington on February 13. At an event themed “Incredible, Again”, the first 747-8I was revealed in a new “Sunrise” red-orange livery, which Boeing says symbolises prosperity
Qantas 767 freighter arrives
Qantas Freight Boeing 767-300F VH-EFR touched down in Sydney on February 12. Operated for Qantas Freight by Qantas subsidiary Express Freighters Australia, VH-EFR will be used for trans-Tasman services, replacing a wetleased ATI 767-200F. It is the first aircraft to wear dedicated Qantas Freight colours, as most of its freight capacity is provided by belly
Qantas ups domestic air fares: blames rising jet fuel prices
Qantas has announced it will increase domestic, regional and trans-Tasman air fares by up to five per cent, as the second part of its response to high oil and jet fuel prices. The airline cites rising average prices in both West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil (WTICO) and Singapore Jet Fuel (SJF) as the primary reasons
Qantas teams up with Solazyme on biofuel
Qantas has announced a new joint venture with US based renewable energy company Solazyme, as it aims to investigate opportunities for algae-based biofuels. The arrangement will see Qantas and Solazyme work closely together over the next 12 months to develop a business case for the introduction of Solazyme’s algal-derived ‘Solajet’ biofuel technology in Australia. The
Boeing submits final tanker proposal to USAF
Boeing and EADS North America have both submitted their final bids for the US Air Force’s KC-X tanker competition. The Boeing proposal offers the 767 based NewGen tankers, which it asserted burns 24 per cent less fuel than EADS’s KC-45/A330 MRTT competitor. Boeing claims this will equate to “savings in tens of billions of dollars
