787 ZA001 grounded by engine surge
ZA001, the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner, has had to have one of its Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines replaced after it experienced a surge during flight testing in Roswell, New Mexico. According to various reports, the surge occurred on September 10 late in the day while the aircraft was taxiing out for brake testing. A loud
Qantas opposes Virgin-Etihad alliance
Qantas has lodged an objection to the proposed alliance between Virgin Blue and Etihad Airways with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), in particular arguing that interim authorisation for it should not be granted. In a letter to the ACCC, Qantas argues that the proposed alliance should not be granted interim authorisation as passengers
Malaysia Airlines to fly Perth-Kota Kinabalu
Malaysia Airlines has announced that it will commence a three times weekly service between Perth and Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia’s Sabah state from January 15. The new flights will be operated by Boeing 737-800s and are part of a strategy to grow Kota Kinabalu as a second hub for the airline.
Aussie Glasair ready to race at Reno
A highly modified Glasair III will be carrying Australian hopes when it takes part in the Reno Air Race Championships this month. The aircraft, known as the Baker Racer, is owned by Ian Baker of Advanced Aero Components of Bankstown. For its racing role, the Glasair III has been given a twin-turbo, six cylinder Lycoming
SimJET to add interactive ATC to simulators
Queensland based flight simulator manufacturer SimJET has announced that it is adding Adacel’s ‘ATC in a Box’ (ATCiB) program on all its simulators, enabling pilots to include air traffic control conversations in their simulator training. “ATCiB integrates the ATC environment directly with the ownship’s scenario, providing traffic and ATC communications that are relevant and responsive
Airbus flight tests A350 composite panel
Airbus has begun flight testing a 15sq m carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) fuselage panel to evaluate its acoustic properties and help fine tune sound insulation for the A350 XWB. The composite panel, which has been fitted with microphone sensors, has been added in place of an aluminium fuselage section of an A340 and will
