CASA seeking industry views on pilot medicals
Australia’s aviation safety regulator is seeking industry views on potential changes to pilot medical requirements. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has released a discussion paper entitled “Medical Certification Standards”, which outlines six potential options that could be considered for future consultation. CASA acting chief executive and director of aviation safety Shane Carmody said
Fly Corporate to replace QantasLink on Brisbane-Biloela, add new Brisbane-Orange nonstop
Fly Corporate is expanding its network from Brisbane with nonstop flights to Orange and Biloela scheduled to begin in February 2017. While Orange-Brisbane will be a new route previously unserved by any airline, Fly Corporate is taking over the flights to Biloela from QantasLink. Currently, QantasLink serves Biloela with Q300 turboprops but announced in early
Virgin Australia Regional Airlines tops on-time stats for November
More than nine in 10 Virgin Australia Regional Airlines’ (VARA) flights landed or took off on time in November, allowing the carrier to finish well ahead of the rest in the punctuality stakes for the month. Figures from the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) showed VARA achieved a 90.1 per cent on-time
First RAAF F-35 weapons release after software upgrade
A Royal Australian Air Force F-35A has dropped a weapon for the first time after the aircraft was upgraded with its initial combat-capable software load. Images dated December 13 and released on the Department of Defence’s website show F-35A A35-002 carrying a GBU-12 laser-guided bomb in its starboard side internal weapons bay. “The 500lb Paveway II laser-guided bomb,
Air New Zealand heading to Tokyo Haneda
Air New Zealand plans to boost its Japan network with new service to Tokyo Haneda Airport from July 2017. In addition to its existing daily service between Auckland and Tokyo Narita, the Star Alliance member plans to fly three times a week – Wednesday, Friday and Sunday – from Auckland to the close-in Tokyo Haneda
Boeing T-X trainer contender makes first flight
Boeing’s contender for the US Air Force’s T-X trainer program has completed its first flight. The maiden flight lasted 55 minutes with lead T-X test pilot Steven Schmidt at the controls and Chief Pilot for Air Force Programs Dan Draeger in the instructor’s seat. Schmidt said the aircraft met all expectations. “I’ve been a part
