Qantas 767 returns to Sydney after tailstrike
A Qantas Boeing 767-300 returned to Sydney Airport shortly after takeoff after suffering a tailstrike during rotation on February 1. According to a Qantas spokesperson, the aircraft was operating QF453 to Melbourne, and encountered a wind gust which lifted the nose of the aircraft more than usual, leading to the tailstrike. There was minimal damage
G150 certified for steep approach
Gulfstream Aerospace has announced that its G150 has received FAA and EASA certification to conduct steep approaches. The approval allows the G150 to operate at airports with an approach angle of up to 6 degrees, compared to the standard 3.5 degrees or less. It is the first Gulfstream aircraft to receive steep approach certification.
787 fatigue test airframe moved to test rig
Boeing announced on February 2 that it has moved the 787 fatigue test airframe into a specialised testing rig at Everett to begin life cycle structural testing. “Unlike static tests, where loads are applied to the airplane structure to simulate both normal operation and extreme flight conditions, fatigue testing is a much longer process that
787-3 unlikely to go ahead
Boeing’s vice president of marketing Randy Tinseth has confirmed that the company is unlikely to proceed with the short range 787-3 now that the aircraft has no orders. “Let’s just be blunt. We have no orders for it today, it was an airplane that was designed for the Japanese market,” Tinseth told Flightblogger at the
Just in time!
Congratulations to long time Australian Aviation reader, Mark Giuliano from Victoria, who won our watch giveaway competition in January after taking out a three year magazine subscription. Mark is now the proud owner of a Sinn Classic Pilot St Sa watch valued at $3090.
Rex commences Townsville-Mt Isa
Regional Express commenced its first nonstop service on the Townsville-Mount Isa route on February 1, one month after it suspended services from the Mackay-Townsville route, claiming predatory behaviour by rival QantasLink. Rex’s GM of network strategy and sales, Warrick Lodge, said, “We have started the direct Mount Isa to Townsville service in response to the
