Two crew killed in AW609 prototype crash
One of two AgustaWestland’s AW609 tiltrotor prototypes crashed during a test flight on October 30, killing its two crew, an Italian and an American pilot. Tiltrotor N609AG was the second 609 prototype built, and crashed into a field near the town of Santhià, around 30nm south-west AgustaWestland’s Cascina Costa headquarters from where it had departed. AgustaWestland confirmed
ADF trials data transfer under Plan Jericho
The Australian Defence Force has transferred high-quality imagery and colour video via wideband high frequency radio as part of RAAF technology transformation effort known as Plan Jericho. The trial of the technology at HMAS Harman near Canberra is a major technical advance over the existing high frequency radio infrastructure, Defence stated. During the tests a
New F-35 program head appointed
Lockheed Martin has announced that Jeff Babione has been named as the executive vice-president and general manager of the F-35 Lightning II program, effective from January 1 next year. Babione succeeds Lorraine Martin, who has been appointed to the newly created position of deputy executive vice-president of Mission Systems and Training. Lockheed Martin said in
ACCC set to approve Virgin-Etihad alliance
Etihad Airways and Virgin Australia have received the green light to extend their alliance for a further five years. In a draft ruling, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says it plans to re-authorise the alliance that was first established in 2011 and led to Virgin commencing flights on its own metal between Sydney and
Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) says it is committed to listening to the aviation community and is making changes to the regulatory regime where necessary to ensure better outcomes for all. The nation’s aviation safety regulator has responded to concerns from The Australian Aviation Associations’ Forum (TAAAF), which said on Thursday it was concerned
Industry expresses concern with slow pace of change at CASA
The peak bodies representing the aviation sector in Australia say they are concerned with the slow pace of change at the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and cost of compliance with new regulations. The Australian Aviation Associations’ Forum (TAAAF), which comprise the peak representative bodies in the local industry, says although there is some good
