Manufacturing of the centre fuselage for the F-35 Lightning II fighter has entered full-rate production (FRP) at Northrop Grumman’s integrated assembly line (IAL) at Palmdale in California. The centre fuselage production rate has increased to a production interval (PI) of 1.5 per day, meaning a centre fuselage for any of the three models of the
A General Atomics Predator B will cross the Atlantic under its own power for the first time as it makes its way for display at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT). To be known as the Protector RG Mk.1 in RAF service, the aircraft will fly non-stop from North Dakota to RAF Fairford in
All smiles as Airbus rolls out first BelugaXL
It was a case of all smiles at Airbus’s Toulouse headquarters when the first BelugaXL rolled out of the paintshop. The over-size transport aircraft has been painted in a special Beluga whale-inspired livery including whale-inspired eyes and an enthusiastic grin. The first BelugaXL completed final assembly in early January. The aircraft will undergo ground testing
Lack of accurate position report broadcasts, incorrect missed approach contributed to King Air near miss – ATSB
Two Beech King Airs came within approximately 300ft vertically of each other on approach to Mount Hotham Airport as the pilot of one of the aircraft grappled with GPS and autopilot difficulties while flying in instrument meteorology conditions, an Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) final report has found. In the September 3 2015 incident, King Air
Fiji Airways to serve Adelaide with Boeing 737 MAX
Fiji Airways will be the second airline to fly the Boeing 737 MAX to Australia from December when it deploys the aircraft on the Adelaide-Nadi route. Currently, Fiji Airways flies twice a week between Adelaide and Nadi with Boeing 737-800s, having started the route in June 2017. “We’re thrilled at how successful the direct route
Richard Goyder named as new Qantas chairman
Qantas will have a new chairman from October, with Leigh Clifford to retire after more than a decade in the role and to be replaced by Richard Goyder. Clifford, who has been chairman of Qantas and a board member since 2007, will step down as a director of the company at the annual general meeting
